The present patent relates generally to vaporization devices and, in particular, to vaporization devices that can be enabled or disabled remotely.
Vaporization devices are generally well known in the art. Such devices are typically battery-powered and are often used as smoking substitutes, to simulate smoking or as a smoking sensation aid. Vaporization devices typically include a battery, a heating element and a cartridge that contains a storage container that houses a vapor forming medium. The vapor forming medium often includes a liquid suspension containing nicotine, or one of many other vaporizable substances commonly employed in the art. In practice, the user draws air through the device via a mouthpiece, which activates the heating element such that the vapor forming medium is heated by the heating element to form the resulting vapor. The vapor may be mixed with the air drawn by the user to form an inhalable aerosol.
Those familiar with the industry may be concerned about use of the vaporization device by an unauthorized user. An unauthorized user may be someone who doesn't own the device, or may be, for example, a minor. Consequently, there exists a need in the art for a manner of limiting access to the device to only an authorized user or users.
In accordance with a first example, a vaporization device includes a body having a first end, a second end, and forming an internal cavity. At least a portion of the internal cavity forms a cartridge receptacle that is sized to receive a cartridge having a storage container of vaporizable liquid. The vaporization device includes a heating element and a battery operatively coupled to one another and disposed within the internal cavity. The heating element is arranged to apply heat to and vaporize a quantity of the vaporizable liquid in the storage container. The vaporization device also includes a processor operatively coupled to the battery and the heating element and disposed within the body. The processor is arranged to respond to a signal to switch the vaporization device between a first operational mode and a second operational mode. A portion of the body is arranged to permit transmission of the signal through the portion of the body from a location external to the body, thereby permitting the processor to switch the vaporization device between the first and second operational modes in response to the receipt of the signal.
In accordance with a second example, a vaporization device includes a body having a first end, a second end, and forming an internal cavity. At least a portion of the internal cavity forms a cartridge receptacle. The vaporization device includes a cartridge having a mouthpiece and a storage container for storing a vaporizable liquid. The vaporization device includes a battery disposed in the cavity and arranged to power a heating element. The heating element is positioned to apply heat to and vaporize a quantity of the vaporizable liquid in response to activation by a user. A processor is operatively coupled to the battery and disposed within the body. The processor is arranged to respond to an external signal to switch the heating element between a first operational mode and a second operational mode. The processor is further arranged to generate a response signal. A mobile device is arranged to send the external signal and to receive the response signal. A portion of the body is arranged to permit transmission of the external signal through the portion of the body from a location external to the body, thereby causing the processor to switch the vaporization device between the first and second operational modes in response to the receipt of the signal. The portion of the body is further arranged to permit transmission of the response signal through the portion of the body from a location within the body, thereby allowing the mobile device to indicate a status of the vaporization device.
In accordance with a third example, a vaporization device includes a body forming an internal cavity. At least a portion of the internal cavity forming a cartridge receptacle. A female structure is defined by an exterior surface at an end of the body adjacent the cartridge receptacle. A battery is disposed in the internal cavity. A cartridge includes a housing and a mouthpiece positioned adjacent the housing. The mouthpiece includes a male structure. The female structure receives the male structure when the housing of the cartridge is received within the cartridge receptacle to laterally support the cartridge within the cartridge receptacle.
In accordance with a fourth example, a vaporization device includes a body having a first end, a second end, and forming an internal cavity. At least a portion of the internal cavity forms a cartridge receptacle. A battery is disposed within the internal cavity. A processor is operatively coupled to the battery and disposed within the body. The processor is arranged to respond to a signal to switch the vaporization device between a first operational mode and a second operational mode. A portion of the body is arranged to permit transmission of the signal through the portion of the body from a location external to the body, thereby permitting the processor to switch the vaporization device between the first and second operational modes in response to the receipt of the signal.
In further accordance with the foregoing first, second, third and/or fourth examples, an apparatus and/or method may further include any one or more of the following:
In accordance with one example, the processor is arranged to respond to an activation code carried by the signal.
In accordance with another example, the first operational mode is an inoperable mode and the second operational mode is an operable mode.
In accordance with another example, either of the first or second operational modes includes a power mode, a sensitivity mode, or a use mode.
In accordance with another example, further including a receiver operatively coupled to the processor, the receiver arranged to receive the signal through the portion of the body and to communicate the signal to the processor.
In accordance with another example, the body includes a first material and the portion of the body is formed of a second material different than the first material, the second material selected to permit passage of the signal through the portion of the body.
In accordance with another example, the portion of the body includes an opening to permit passage of the signal through the portion of the body.
In accordance with another example, further including a cover disposed over the opening, the cover formed of a material selected to permit passage of the signal through the opening.
In accordance with another example, the cover material includes plastic.
In accordance with another example, further including an illumination assembly arranged to display a light signal.
In accordance with another example, the illumination assembly is disposed inside the body and the light signal is transmitted through a second portion of the body.
In accordance with another example, the second portion of the body is translucent.
In accordance with another example, further including an illumination assembly arranged to display a first light signal indicative of a first status and a second light signal indicative of a second status.
In accordance with another example, the first status is indicative of the first operational mode and the second status is indicative of the second operational mode.
In accordance with another example, the illumination assembly is arranged such that the first light signal is a first color and the second light signal is a second color different from the first color.
In accordance with another example, the external signal carries an authentication code.
In accordance with another example, the body is formed of a first material that inhibits passage of the external or response signals through portions of the body formed of the first material, and the portion of the body is formed of a second material that allows passage of the external or response signals through the portion of the body.
In accordance with another example, the first material includes a metal, and the second material includes a plastic.
In accordance with another example, further including a server, the server is arranged to access identifying information from the mobile device, in response to the identifying information matching reference identifying information, the processor provides an authentication code accessible by the mobile device, the authentication code to be provided to the processor via the external signal.
In accordance with another example, the female structure includes a notch and the male structure includes a protrusion of the mouthpiece.
In accordance with another example, the body includes a metal body having an opening, the vaporization device further including a cover covering the opening and includes a material different from the metal body, the material capable of permitting transmission of a signal through the cover.
Although the following text discloses a detailed description of one or more disclosed examples, it should be understood that the legal scope of the property right is defined by the words of the claims set forth at the end of this patent. Accordingly, the following detailed description is to be construed as illustrating examples, but does not describe every possible example, as describing every possible example would be impractical, if not impossible. Numerous alternative examples could be implemented, using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent. It is envisioned that such alternative examples would still fall within the scope of the claims.
Referring now to the drawings,
The vaporization device 100 includes a body 106 having a first end 108, a second end 110, and forms an internal cavity 112. A portion 114 of the internal cavity 112 (the portion 114 is best visible in
A battery 126 is disposed in the internal cavity 112 in any suitable manner. The battery 126 may be of the type commonly employed in the art and may be removable and/or rechargeable. The heating element 124 and the battery 126 are operatively coupled to one another when the cartridge 118 is attached to the body 106. Typically, a portion 128 (See.
The vaporization device 100 also includes a processor 132 that is disposed within the body 106 and that is operatively coupled to the battery 126 in any suitable fashion. In operation, the processor 132 is arranged to respond to a signal 134 from, for example, the device 102, such that receipt of the signal 134 by the processor 132 causes the vaporization device 100 to switch between a first operational mode and a second operational mode. In the example shown, the signal 134 is an external signal which is generated from outside of the vaporization device 100. In one exemplary mode of operation, when in the first operational mode, the vaporization device 100 is prevented from operating and/or is turned off, and while when in the second operational mode, the operation of the vaporization device 100 is enabled and/or turned on.
A portion 136 of the body 106 is arranged to permit transmission of the signal 134 from a location external to the body 106 through the portion 136 of the body 106. In the example of
In the example shown, the vaporization device 100 includes a receiver 137, which receives the signal 134 and communicates information in the signal 134 (e.g., the activation code) to the processor 132. The receiver 137 may include any type of communication interface (e.g. a wireless interface) configured to operate in accordance with any suitable protocol(s). For example, the receiver 137 may be configured to communicate using near field communication (NFC), remote communication, Bluetooth®, an audio signal, and/or a voice input. The receiver 137 may also be configured to receive a signal via a dongle (e.g., a micro USB). The signal received via the dongle may carry an activation code or another command that can be executed by the processor 132. Therefore, receipt of the signal via the dongle can trigger the processor 132 to switch the vaporization device 100 between the first and second operational modes.
The receiver 137 of the vaporization device 100 may be a transceiver 138, thus enabling the vaporization device 100 to communicate a response signal 139 from the vaporization device 100 back to the device 102. The response signal 139 may carry information associated with a status of the vaporization device 100. Alternatively, the vaporization device 100 may include a separate transmitter 140 separate from the receiver 137 and operatively coupled to the processor 132.
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In another exemplary form, the portion 136 of the body 106 may be an opening 141 in a surface 142 of the body 106 (the surface 142 is best visible in
Additionally, the opening 141 may be covered by a cover 144, with the cover 144 being disposed or removably disposed over the opening 141 in any suitable fashion. In the example of
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As another example, the illumination assembly 156 may display a first light signal in the form of a graphical character, such as a negative sign or the like, when the vaporization device 100 is in an inoperable mode, and may display a second and different light signal, such as a positive sign, when the vaporization device 100 is in the operable mode. In the example of
Referring again to
As an example, when the vaporization device 100 is purchased by a consumer, the vaporization device 100 is in a first operational mode. The first operational mode may prevent the vaporization device 100 from being used or may prevent a feature of the vaporization device 100 from being used. The feature may be associated with a setting of the heating element 124.
As an alternative example, when the vaporization device 100 is purchased, the vaporization device 100 is in a second operational mode. In the second operational mode, the vaporization device 100 can be used for vaping, for example. However, after an event occurs, the processor 132 may switch the vaporization device 100 from the second operational mode to the first operational mode. The event may be associated with an amount of time lapsing or the vaporization device 100 being used a particular number of times.
To activate the vaporization device 100, the device 102 obtains an authentication code from the server 104. To do so, the server 104 is arranged to access identifying information from the device 102 via a signal 165. The identifying information may include an identifier associated with the vaporization device 100 and authenticating information from the consumer. The identifier may be a serial number/product code provided with the vaporization device 100 and the authenticating information may include age identifying information such as a name, a social security number, a driver's license number, age, an address, etc.
To authenticate the consumer and data provided, the server 104 includes a processor 166 and a memory 168. During the authentication process, the processor 166 compares the authentication data to reference authentication data stored at the memory 168. If the authentication data does not match the reference authentication data at the server 104 or if the processor 166 does not otherwise authenticate the consumer, the processor 166 can generate an alert (e.g., an error message). The alert may be provided to the device 102 via the signal 165. The alert may indicate that the vaporization device 100 cannot be activated at this time because the user information provided is not associated with an individual of legal age (e.g., 18-years old; 21-years old, etc.) to use the vaporization device 100 and/or that the consumer is not authenticated to use the vaporization device 100.
However, if the authentication data matches the reference authentication data or if the processor 166 otherwise authenticates the consumer, the processor 166 identifies an authentication code associated with the vaporization device 100 and provides the authentication code to the device 102 via the signal 165. Different authentication codes may be provided to different vaporization devices to change the device from a first operational mode to a second operational mode in which the vaporization device 100 is operable or the feature is unlocked. Alternatively, the same authentication code can be provided to different vaporization devices to change the device from a first operational mode to a second operational mode. The authentication code may be and/or may be referred to as a digital token, a code, a key, a sequence or an audio key.
To activate the vaporization device 100, the device 102 transmits the signal 134 through the cover 144 and the opening 141. The signal 134 is accessed by the receiver 137 and provided to the processor 132. The processor 132 compares the activation code to a reference activation code stored at the memory 164 of the vaporization device 100. In response to the activation code matching the reference activation code, the processor 132 accesses and executes an activation command to enable a capability of the vaporization device 100. Once the capability is enabled, the vaporization device 100 can be used for vaping, for example. The activation command may be stored at the memory 164.
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The cross-sectional view also shows a support 185 disposed within the internal cavity 112. The support 185 includes a cavity 186, the nozzle 182 and a recess 190. The nozzle 182 extends into the cartridge receptacle 116 and is in fluid communication with a sensor 191. The recess 190 faces the cartridge receptacle 116 and receives the magnet 180. The magnet 180 can be used to retain the cartridge 118 within the cartridge receptacle 116. Thus, the cartridge 118 can be releasably but securely held within the cartridge receptacle 116 via the magnet 180. Alternatively, the cartridge 118 can be coupled within the cartridge receptacle 116 via an interference fit or a snap-fit connection. The contacts 177, 178 that are coupled to the battery 126 extend through the support 185 and are used to provide power to the heating element 124.
From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the above disclosed apparatus, methods and articles of manufacture relate to metal-bodied vaporization devices to receive and/or transmit data. In some examples, the data received at the vaporization device is associated with a command. Some of those commands may include an authentication command that enables usage of the vaporization device. Others of the commands may include a capability enablement command that allows a particular capability to be activated. Regardless of the type of data transmitted, the metal-bodied vaporization devices disclosed herein allow communication to occur that would otherwise not be feasible given the signal transmission characteristics of the metal-bodied devices.
Further, while several examples have been disclosed herein, any features from any examples may be combined with or replaced by other features from other examples. Moreover, while several examples have been disclosed herein, changes may be made to the disclosed examples without departing from the scope of the claims.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 17147235 | Jan 2021 | US |
Child | 18411852 | US | |
Parent | 17030707 | Sep 2020 | US |
Child | 17147235 | US | |
Parent | 16932416 | Jul 2020 | US |
Child | 17030707 | US | |
Parent | 16674934 | Nov 2019 | US |
Child | 16932416 | US | |
Parent | 16276261 | Feb 2019 | US |
Child | 16674934 | US | |
Parent | 16674920 | Nov 2019 | US |
Child | 16932416 | US | |
Parent | 16276261 | Feb 2019 | US |
Child | 16674920 | US | |
Parent | 16674922 | Nov 2019 | US |
Child | 16932416 | US | |
Parent | 16276261 | Feb 2019 | US |
Child | 16674922 | US | |
Parent | 16674934 | Nov 2019 | US |
Child | 17030707 | US | |
Parent | 16932416 | Jul 2020 | US |
Child | 17147235 | US | |
Parent | 17030707 | Sep 2020 | US |
Child | 16932416 | US |