1. health and fitness
2. addiction
3. smoking addiction

US 20130340775A1
(19) United States
(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2013/0340775 A1
Juster et al.
(54)
(43) Pub. Date:
APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT FORA
Dec. 26, 2013
Publication Classi?cation
NETWORK WITH AN ELECTRONIC
CIGARETTE
(51)
(71) ApplicantszBernard Juster, Netanya (IL); Robert
Levitz, Shemesh (IL); Dorron Levy,
Int- Cl
H04L 29/06
A24F 4 7/00
(52) US. Cl
Givatayim (1L)
(2006.01)
(2006-01)
CPC ............ .. H04L 67/42 (2013.01); A24F 47/008
(2013.01)
Inventors: Levitz,
Bernard~Shemesh
Juster, Netanya
(IL); Dorron Levy,
Robert
Glvataylm (IL)
.
(57)
.........................................
ABSTRACT ..
An electronic cigarette (“e-Cig”) may include a controller for
providing various operations Within an e-Cig. Enhancements
for the controller ma
rovide for im roved o erations and
(21) Appl' NO" 13/898,094
control for the e-Cig vliitph a consumer dpevice, suréh as a smart
(22) Filed;
phone. Applications on the smartphone may be developed for
improving the operations and the control of the e-Cig, as Well
May 20, 2013
as making use of data communicated from the e-Cig. Appli
cations may be developed for controlling smoke properties,
Related US. Application Data
(63) Continuation-in-part of application No. 13/870,654,
?led on Apr‘ 25 2013'
’
monitoring operations, adjusting settings, receiving product
noti?cations’ or Compilinganalyzing data.‘ .fFOm the e_cig'
Applications may also provide ‘other capab1l1t1es
(60) Provisional application No. 61/637,980, ?led on Apr.
e-Cig, including entertainment, medical, or gaming applica
tions.
25, 2012.
mam.
703
may not
be unique to an e-C1g, but may incorporate capab1l1t1es of the
User Device
E-Cig
Database
710
708
Patent Application Publication
Dec. 26, 2013 Sheet 1 0f 16
US 2013/0340775 A1
Heating element
The heat enables viscosity reduction
when the cigarette control is
commanding a relay that enable
s
Flow
sensor
L 104
Atomizer
Ultrasound etc
Patent Application Publication
Dec. 26, 2013 Sheet 2 of 16
202 1
US 2013/0340775 A1
Flgure 2
inhaled Air
ATOMIZER/CARTOMIZER
206 \
Heating Element
Power Supply
(PW'M)
Air pressure/velocity
208 K
Low Viscosity E-liquid
J\ L supply
Heat
1
E-liquid Viscosity is
“Smoke” created:
/ A combination of Aerosol, Wanncd air
\\\\\\
Q
////
204
\\
reduced
C) O
L
And vapors in inhaled air
E'liquid
no
Patent Application Publication
Dec. 26, 2013 Sheet 3 0f 16
Figure 3
US 2013/0340775 A1
[308
_
Heated Air 1
inhaled Air
‘N
Flow
Sensor
M2
1w ;
1R‘?
3 “Smoke”
1
L
310 7
Y
iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii ..
L
302
f
e“
Liquid 1
304
Current
Supply
Viscosity
Reduction
:
.
Feellng
including
§Warm Air,
Aerosol
Vapors
306
f 402
f 404
f 406
§lnhaledA1r
811:8‘;
Controller
_/ “Smoke” creation mechanism is applied
410
Figure 4
)F 408
Patent Application Publication
Dec. 26, 2013 Sheet 4 0f 16
US 2013/0340775 A1
Figure 5
Smoke from E Liquid2
Smoke from E Liquid 1
Flow sensor
‘
510
Patent Application Publication
Dec. 26, 2013 Sheet 5 0f 16
US 2013/0340775 A1
Figure 6
I
If 606
Battery
Power supply to
controller
Switch battery./
(Optional)
Inhalation
Inhaled Air
signal
,
A
FlowSensorj
Power supply
> Controller
>
LED
/
L 604
602 —/
Power
supply
(PWM)
608 1
Heating coil
Heat supply
610
l
Atomization
L 612
Patent Application Publication
Dec. 26, 2013 Sheet 6 of 16
US 2013/0340775 A1
Figure 7
701
20
Controller
18
Memory
Software
_ _ _ _
_
_ _ -
Interface
E-Cig
703
User Device
710
708
Patent Application Publication
Dec. 26, 2013 Sheet 7 of 16
US 2013/0340775 A1
Figure 8
8021 Communication
E C j 801
Chip
+
- 1g
b\
\
\
\
g
Social Network
/ Other Users
E-Cig
Database
708
806
Patent Application Publication
Dec. 26, 2013 Sheet 8 0f 16
US 2013/0340775 A1
Figure 9
Local
J 804
Communication
Security
Usage
Desired
Restrictions
Settings
902
904
906
l
912
908
910
Patent Application Publication
Dec. 26, 2013 Sheet 9 0f 16
US 2013/0340775 A1
F1 gure 10
1000
—\
1002 1_
/f_ 1001
Identi?er Code
(e_g__ QR Code)
A
'
Icquire
mage
....
R
/ 1003
Billg
623037120;
E-Cig immovcablc (not replaceable) portion
e.g. Communication chip, battery, etc.
' o‘b
09x65“
(‘PM
704
706
Ma
702
‘IIIIIJIIID
@CIDUL'I
v
E-Cig
Database
708
Patent Application Publication
Dec. 26, 2013 Sheet 10 0f 16
Figure 11
US 2013/0340775 A1
)"1101
Heating
‘
Element
Communications
Controller _
Interface
\
\
\
L1106
LllOZ L1l04
\
Communications I H04
Interface
NFC
RFID
1202 “x
WiFi
Bluetooth
1204 “x 1206l
F1 gure 13
Controller
Charging
PWM
Circuitry
Unit(s)
1304
J
1306
1
1208l
I 1102
1308
l
LED
\
1108
Patent Application Publication
Dec. 26, 2013 Sheet 11 0f 16
US 2013/0340775 A1
Figure 14
1402 1
/— 1 4
Memor limits
max/min values
Input value
////\\\\ )
,// Dose ln 7 ut Value is
1—><\
_
W1th1n
range
/—
Yes
// ls lnput value
1408
restricted by other input
Yes
roll
NO
1412 _\
Do not change
1410
Insert input value as
parameter value,
new parameter
Transmit error
message
Patent Application Publication
Figure 15
Ni?
Dec. 26, 2013 Sheet 12 0f 16
US 2013/0340775 A1
Patent Application Publication
Dec. 26, 2013 Sheet 13 0f 16
US 2013/0340775 A1
Figure 16
Standard cigarette
(e.g.. Non-electronic)
1601
l
Mount piece
1604
Patent Application Publication
Dec. 26, 2013 Sheet 14 0f 16
US 2013/0340775 A1
Figure 17
I 1706
|
Battery
I
Power supply
1701
Switch battery/
Inhaled Air
Standard
Inhaled Air
Inhalation
with smoke
Signal
* |:|OW sensor
/*/
J
to controller
Controller
L 1702
Mount Piece
Patent Application Publication
Dec. 26, 2013 Sheet 15 0f 16
igure 18
18141
1808 j
US 2013/0340775 A1
Patent Application Publication
Dec. 26, 2013 Sheet 16 0f 16
US 2013/0340775 A1
Figure 19
701
m\
IIIEIDEI
\E\
_______ /
I /’
703
E-Cig
User Device
704
706
190
E-Cig
Server
Application
Developer
-
—
_,
v
EE-EEI
IE-E-E-EI
E-Clg
Applications
Database
I=IEI=I
Operator
Database
V
Server
710
1904
708
US 2013/0340775 A1
APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT FORA
NETWORK WITH AN ELECTRONIC
CIGARETTE
PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001] This application claims priority as a Continuation
in-part to US. application Ser. No. 13/870,654, ?led on Apr.
25, 2013, entitled Electronic Cigarette With Communication
Enhancements,” Which claimed priority to Provisional Appli
cation No. 61/637,980, ?led on Apr. 25, 2012, entitled “Elec
tronic Cigarette With Communication Enhancements,” the
entire disclosures of both are hereby incorporated by refer
ence.
Dec. 26, 2013
[0014]
[0015]
interface examples;
[0016] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating exemplary control
ler components;
[0017] FIG. 14 is a How chart for cigarette operation;
[0018] FIG. 15 is a How chart for smoking control;
[0019]
[0002] Smoking may be an activity With certain social
implications. For example, social factors may in?uence the
decision to start smoking or may be one reason for smoking in
groups (from couples to people Who go out to smoke together,
to parties etc.). The social bene?ts of smoking Without certain
of the doWnsides may be achieved With an electronic cigarette
(“e-cigarette” or “e-Cig”). An e-Cig is a device that emulates
tobacco cigarette smoking, by producing smoke replacement
that may be similar in its physical sensation, general appear
ance, and sometimes ?avor (i.e., With tobacco fragrance,
menthol taste, added nicotine etc.). The device may use heat,
ultrasonic energy, or other means to atomiZe/vaporiZe a liquid
(for example based on propylene glycol, or glycerin, for
example including taste and fragrance ingredients) solution
into an aerosol mist. The atomiZation may be similar to nebu
liZer or humidi?er vaporiZing solutions for inhalation. The
generated mist may be sensed similar to cigarette smoke.
Because it is electronic, an e-Cig may provide opportunities
for increased options, communication, and control.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 16 illustrates an enhanced controller as part of
a mount piece for regular cigarettes;
[0020]
FIG. 17 illustrates a How diagram for the mount
piece;
[0021]
FIG. 18 is a netWork diagram of electronic cigarette
communications; and
[0022]
BACKGROUND
FIG. 11 is another exemplary electronic cigarette;
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating communications
FIG. 19 is a netWork diagram With an application
development component.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023]
Subject matter Will noW be described more fully
hereinafter With reference to the accompanying draWings,
Which form a part hereof, and Which shoW, by Way of illus
tration, speci?c example embodiments. Subject matter may,
hoWever, be embodied in a variety of different forms and,
therefore, covered or claimed subject matter is intended to be
construed as not being limited to any example embodiments
set forth herein; example embodiments are provided merely
to be illustrative. LikeWise, a reasonably broad scope for
claimed or covered subject matter is intended. Among other
things, for example, subject matter may be embodied as meth
ods, devices, components, or systems. Accordingly, embodi
ments may, for example, take the form of hardWare, softWare,
?rmWare or any combination thereof (other than softWare per
se). The folloWing detailed description is, therefore, not
intended to be taken in a limiting sense.
[0024]
Throughout the speci?cation and claims, terms may
have nuanced meanings suggested or implied in context
beyond an explicitly stated meaning. LikeWise, the phrase “in
one embodiment” as used herein does not necessarily refer to
[0003]
The system and method may be better understood
With reference to the folloWing draWings and description.
Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments are described
With reference to the folloWing draWings. The components in
the draWings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead
being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.
In the draWings, like referenced numerals designate corre
sponding parts throughout the different vieWs.
[0004]
[0005]
[0006]
FIG. 1 is a diagram of an electronic cigarette;
FIG. 2 is a diagram of an atomiZer;
FIG. 3 is a How diagram of the electronic cigarette
smoking process;
[0007]
FIG. 4 is a How diagram of components for the
the same embodiment and the phrase “in another embodi
ment” as used herein does not necessarily refer to a different
embodiment. It is intended, for example, that claimed subject
matter include combinations of example embodiments in
Whole or in part.
[0025]
In general, terminology may be understood at least
in part from usage in context. For example, terms, such as
“and”, “or”, or “and/or,” as used herein may include a variety
of meanings that may depend at least in part upon the context
in Which such terms are used. Typically, “or” if used to asso
ciate a list, such as A, B or C, is intended to meanA, B, and C,
here used in the inclusive sense, as Well asA, B or C, here used
in the exclusive sense. In addition, the term “one or more” as
electronic cigarette;
used herein, depending at least in part upon context, may be
[0008]
used to describe any feature, structure, or characteristic in a
singular sense or may be used to describe combinations of
features, structures or characteristics in a plural sense. Simi
larly, terms, such as “a ” “an,” or “the,” again, may be under
stood to convey a singular usage or to convey a plural usage,
FIG. 5 is an alternative diagram of an electronic
cigarette With multiple e-Liquids;
[0009]
FIG. 6 is an alternative diagram of components in an
electronic cigarette;
[0010]
FIG. 7 is a netWork diagram With an electronic ciga
rette;
[0011]
depending at least in part upon context. In addition, the term
FIG. 8 is another netWork diagram With an elec
tronic cigarette illustrating local and netWork communica
tions;
[0012]
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating local communication
examples;
[0013]
FIG. 10 is another netWork diagram With an elec
tronic cigarette illustrating image acquisition;
“based on” may be understood as not necessarily intended to
convey an exclusive set of factors and may, instead, alloW for
existence of additional factors not necessarily expressly
described, again, depending at least in part on context.
[0026] By Way of introduction, an electronic cigarette (“e
Cig”) may include a controller for providing various opera
tions Within an e-Cig. Enhancements for the controller may
US 2013/0340775 A1
provide for improved operations and control for the e-Cig. In
one embodiment, there may be a communications capability
Which may be separate from or part of the controller. The
communications may alloW for the e-Cig to communicate
With a consumer device, such as a computer, smartphone or
tablet. The consumer may then control smoke properties,
monitor operations, adjust settings, and/or receive product
noti?cations or offers through the consumer device’s com
munication With the e-Cig. Control may also be enabled for
automatic services, such as messaging from commercial par
ties, by servers, by local area netWork (“LAN”)-located enti
ties, such as a smart phone application, and/or by other per
sons (e.g. friends, supporters or social networks) that may be
located locally or over a Wide area netWork (“WAN”) such as
the Internet. Other possible applications may include smok
ing cessation support, by professionals or peers (also my
involve and incorporate other Nicotine Replacement Thera
pies (NRT), such as nicotine patches; competitions and chal
lenges, for example of knoWledge or taste recognition; related
products marketing and sales, for example coffee or candy.
The communications may enable connections to various
Websites on the Internet for usage tracking or social netWork
ing. Although commonly referred to as a smoker throughout,
a user of an e-Cig may also be referred to as a vapor and the
act of “smoking” may be referred to as vaping. LikeWise, a
non-electronic cigarette may be referred to as a “regular” or
“standard” cigarette, but should be understood to include
non-electronic cigarettes. Although mist generation (or
atomization) may be described interchangeably With vapor
Dec. 26, 2013
[0029] The controller 102 may be activated due to air How
108 (from the inhaled air) passing a How sensor 104. The
sensor 104 may be activated by the pressure drop across the
sensor and may directly sWitch the battery 106 poWer on, or
be used as an input for the controller 102 that then sWitches
the battery 106 current on. Although illustrated as separate
from the e-Cig, the controller 102 may be a part of the e-Cig
(e.g. along With the battery 106). The enhancements to the
controller 102 are further described beloW With respect to
FIGS. 7-13, and include external communications from a
communications chip. The communications described beloW
may alloW for increased control of properties of the sensor
104, battery 106, air How 108, e-Liquid 110 or atomizer 112.
In particular, the controller 102 may be con?gured for exter
nal communication to other computing devices and/or net
Works.
[0030] In one alternative embodiment, the battery 106 may
be a separate/removable assembly. The battery 106 may
include one or more electronic chips controlling and commu
nicating from it. It may receive cartomizers. Conversely, a
disposable e-Cig may include the battery 106 as a single unit.
In another alternative embodiment, the battery 106 keeps a
trickle current on. The trickle current may keep the commu
nication link alive, While main current for the heating element
111 is only activated by the How sensor 104.
[0031] FIG. 2 is a diagram ofthe atomizer 112. The inhaled
air 202 is passed through the atomizer 112. A heating element
206 (Which may be separate from the atomizer 112 in alter
nate embodiments) supplies heat to the E-liquid 110, Which
ization, the concepts are distinct. The use of the term vapor
ization, vapor, or vaping should be understood to include the
mist generation or atomization process.
reduces viscosity 208. Due to the heating element 206, the
e-Liquid 110 viscosity over temperature pro?le may be
designed in a Way such that When heated its viscosity Will be
[0027] Other systems, methods, features and advantages
reduced to a level Where atomization may be effective (With
the pressure shear forces and velocities that can be created
Will be, or Will become, apparent to one With skill in the art
upon examination of the folloWing ?gures and detailed
description. It is intended that all such additional systems,
methods, features and advantages be included Within this
description, be Within the scope of the invention, and be
protected by the folloWing claims. Nothing in this section
should be taken as a limitation on those claims. Further
With inhalation activity). The heating element 206 may be
poWered through a poWer supply 204. The loW viscosity
e-liquid and the inhaled air 202 result in the smoke 210. The
smoke 210 is not a traditional smoke, but is instead a combi
nation of aerosol, War'med air and vapors, and may be referred
to as a vapor.
aspects and advantages are discussed beloW.
[0032] The atomization may be the process that makes an
aerosol. When a gas is injected under pressure difference
[0028]
through a tube With a narroWing cross-section, it speeds up,
generating a pressure drop at the narroWest point due to
FIG. 1 is a diagram of an electronic cigarette. The
“smoke” produced by an e-Cig is a created by turning a liquid
(e-Liquid 110) into mist and some vapor With an atomizer
112. The e-liquid 110 may have a high viscosity at room
temperature to enable longer shelf life and reduce leakages;
hoWever, this high viscosity may reduce the atomization rate.
The atomizer 112 is further described beloW With respect to
FIG. 2. The e-Liquid 110 is atomized via air How 108, gen
erated by the inhalation of the user (i.e. the smoker or con
sumer or vapor), Which produces a pressure difference that
removes e-Liquid droplets from the e-Liquid 110. In one
embodiment, the e-Liquid 110 may be soaked in a Wick. In
order to reduce the e-Liquid viscosity, to a level enabling
atomization, external heat may be applied through a heating
element 111 as further described beloW. In this embodiment,
local viscosity reduction via heating, While inhalation occurs,
enables e-Liquid atomization in the inhalation-generated
How of air 108. The e-Liquid 110 may be heated via an
electric current ?oWing through the heating element 111 and
may then be atomized and evaporated through the e-Cig and
may contain tastes and aromas that create a smoking sensa
tion.
Bemoulli’s principle and creates Venturi’s effect. The nar
roWing cross-section may enable pressure reduction in that
the narroWing results in a velocity increase and pressure drop.
The reduced pressure, due to the pressure difference betWeen
the tWo points, sucks up a liquid from a reservoir through a
narroW tube or tubes into the moving gas How, and projects it
forWard as a ?ne spray of droplets. When liquid is moved
through Wick capillaries a pressure difference may be effec
tive in creating shear forces. The generated microscopic drop
lets are then sucked in to the mouth and upper respiratory
tract. Droplet size can be in?uenced by the internal structure
of the e-Cig, and its Working conditions, including liquid
properties, liquid temperature While atomized, heating
energy, ?oW local macro and micro structure, inhalation
force, etc. The e-Liquid 110 may be purchased and inter
changeable Within the e-Cig for adding ?avor to the smoke
210.
[0033] FIG. 3 is a How diagram of the electronic cigarette
smoking process. The inhaled air 302 passes through a How
sensor 304. The e-Cig poWer source is a battery (or other
US 2013/0340775 A1
power source, eg other electrical sources) Which may be a
part of the e-Cig that provides a current supply 306. The
current supply 306 may be triggered by the controller Which
may be activated due to air How 302 passing a How sensitive
sWitch or How sensor 304. This sensor can sWitch the battery
poWer or may be an input for the controller. When controller
is activated it enables poWer to a heating resistance element
(eg heating element 206). In one embodiment, the heating
element 206 may be a heating coil. The poWer may be con
trolled using Pulse Width Modulation (“PWM”) signaling.
E-Liquid may be located in a container Where a capillary
device such as Wick leads it to a place Where inhaled air 302
have How conditions that enable creation of pressure drop
and/ or shear forces that Will enable aerosol creation. Heating
of the e-Liquid in the Wick by a coil or heating element may
reduce viscosity 310 of the e-Liquid and enable aerosol cre
ation through evaporation 312. The aerosol creation may
result in a smoke feeling for a user. The resultant smoke/vapor
210 may include Warm air, aerosol, and vapors 314. In one
Dec. 26, 2013
components of an e-Cig. FIG. 6 illustrates the How of differ
ent functions of the e-Cig. In this embodiment, the e-Cig
poWer source is a battery 606 Which is part ofthe e-Cig. The
battery 606 may be lithium-ion in one example. The control
ler 602 may be activated due to air ?oW (from the inhaled air)
passing a ?ow-sensitive sWitch or How sensor 604. The sensor
604 may be activated by a pressure drop across the sensor.
This sensor 604 may directly sWitch the battery 606 poWer on,
orbe used as an input for the controller 602, that then sWitches
the battery 606 current on. This process is further described
above With respect to FIGS. 1-3. The controller 602, When
activated, enables, in a speci?c embodiment, a Pulse Width
Modulation (“PWM”) control over the heating coil 608
poWer. Heating of the liquid by the heating coil 608 reduces
viscosity of the e-Liquid Which may enable atomization 610.
[0038]
In parallel the controller 602 may poWer up a light
emitting diode (“LED”) 612 light source at the e-Cig tip. The
LED 602 light may imitate the cigarette light. In one embodi
ment, the light color may be changed to distinguish it from
embodiment, the e-Liquid may ?oW through the coil, Which
regular (non-electronic) cigarettes. For example, the LED
may be Wrapped around a Wick in the e-Cig. The inhaled air
may be green. The light may mimic the brightness of the
?re/bum of a non-electronic cigarette. In other Words, the
lighting is different, for example turned on, for While receiv
ing inhaled air. Accordingly, there may be an analog or digital
?oWs across the Wick such that the inhaled air How may
induce turbulent How. A local air vortex may enable high
pressure drops and shear forces that create aerosol from at
least part of the e-Liquid soaked in the Wick.
[0034] FIG. 4 is a How diagram of components for the
electronic cigarette. FIGS. 1 and 3 illustrate exemplary e-Cig
components and processes for smoke creation. FIG. 4 illus
trates a simpli?ed embodiment of certain components.
Inhaled air 402 passes through a How sensor 404, Which may
notify a controller 406 of the presence of the inhaled air 402.
The controller 406 may signal a current supply 408 Which
begins the smoke creation mechanism 410. As discussed
above, the smoke creation mechanism 410 may include an
atomiZer and/or heating element for creating the aerosol. FIG.
4 illustrates hoW the e-Cig is activated upon sensing the
inhaled air. This basically “tums on” the e-Cig for creating the
electrical circuit that enables the light to increase and/or cease
gradually. This setup may be translated to electrical circuits in
more than a single Way (for example the pressure sWitch can
sWitch the poWer to the controller or only enable a signal to be
transmitted to the controller). The e-Cig LED or light at its tip
may be changed according to ambient illumination. For
example, the light poWer may be reduced When driving at
night or may be modi?ed based on location. For example, the
color may change When smoking indoors or in a restaurant.
The change may be controlled by the smartphone, utiliZing its
various sensors.
[0039]
FIG. 7 is a netWork diagram including an e-Cig 701.
aerosol for the user to engage in the smoking process. When
FIG. 7 illustrates a consumer device 702 and user device 703
that are coupled With a netWork 704. The consumer device
the poWer supply is not enabled, atomization and vaping is
702 may be directly (or locally) coupled With the e-Cig 701.
prevented.
[0035]
FIG. 5 is an alternative diagram of an electronic
cigarette With multiple e-Liquid containers. The e-Cig in FIG.
5 may be similar to or the same as the e-Cig in FIG. 1 except
it includes multiple e-Liquids. The e-Cig may include a ?rst
e-liquid 110 as With FIG. 1, but also includes a second e-Liq
uid 510. The aerosol or smoke from the tWo e-Liquids may be
combined to enhance or modify the ?avor produced With just
a single e-Liquid. In one embodiment, an e-Liquid With nico
tine may be combined With an e-Liquid that is nicotine free.
The controller may determine Which e-Liquid is utiliZed for
vaping. In one embodiment, the user may interact With the
controller to sWitch betWeen the e-Liquids. Alternatively, the
controller may automatically select the e-Liquid based on
usage patterns or may sWitch betWeen the e-Liquids during
inhalation.
[0036]
The e-Liquids may be sensed by constant resistance
measurement of the heating element When the cartomiZer is
removed or disconnection occurs. LikeWise, When another
cartomiZer is assembled it may be sensed and restricted until
it is con?rmed With the controller (eg by a smartphone as
discussed beloW).
[0037] FIG. 6 is an alternative diagram of components in an
e-Cig. The e-Cig may be the e-Cig illustrated in FIG. 1 or 5.
FIG. 7 beloW includes a further description of additional
Through the netWork, an e-Cig server 706 may store (in
database 708) and communicate information to/from the
e-Cig 701. Herein, the phrase “coupled Wit ” is de?ned to
mean directly connected to or indirectly connected through
one or more intermediate components. Such intermediate
components may include both hardWare and softWare based
components. Variations in the arrangement and type of the
components may be made Without departing from the spirit or
scope of the claims as set forth herein. Additional, different or
feWer components may be provided.
[0040]
The e-Cig 701 may be similar to or the same as the
e-Cigs illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5. As described beloW, the
e-Cig 701 may communicate With a consumer device, such as
a smartphone 702. A smartphone is merely one example of a
device that may communicate directly/locally With the e-Cig
701 and connect With the netWork 704. Other devices may
include a desktop computer or a portable device, such as a
cellular telephone, a display pager, a radio frequency (RF)
device, an infrared (IR) device, a Personal Digital Assistant
(PDA), a handheld computer, a tablet computer, a laptop
computer, a set top box, a Wearable computer (e. g. glasses or
Watch), an integrated device or any computing device com
bining various features, such as features of the forgoing
devices, or the like. HoWever, the device Will be labeled
throughout this disclosure as a smartphone for simplicity. The