U.S. patent application number 14/337697 was filed with the patent office on 2015-03-19 for controller with network access and unique id for personal electronic devices.
This patent application is currently assigned to Stoicheion Technology LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Stoicheion Technology LLC. Invention is credited to Todd R. Kueny, JR., Todd R. Kueny, SR., Nicholas McKelvey.
Application Number | 20150075546 14/337697 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52666825 |
Filed Date | 2015-03-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150075546 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kueny, SR.; Todd R. ; et
al. |
March 19, 2015 |
Controller With Network Access and Unique ID for Personal
Electronic Devices
Abstract
An add-on module for an electronic cigarette or vaporizer
providing an electronic means to communicate with remote computers
and electronic devices and to provide a dynamic means to control
temperature over time, manage and save device settings, dynamically
control temperatures, monitor sensors, and transmit and read this
data from remote computing devices for display, alteration and
storage
Inventors: |
Kueny, SR.; Todd R.;
(Tarentum, PA) ; Kueny, JR.; Todd R.; (Norristown,
PA) ; McKelvey; Nicholas; (Warminster, PA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Stoicheion Technology LLC |
Tarentum |
PA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Stoicheion Technology LLC
Tarentum
PA
|
Family ID: |
52666825 |
Appl. No.: |
14/337697 |
Filed: |
July 22, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61845437 |
Jul 12, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
131/329 ;
700/299 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24F 47/008
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
131/329 ;
700/299 |
International
Class: |
A24F 47/00 20060101
A24F047/00 |
Claims
1. An add-on module for a device having a vaporizer that provides a
user with an inhalable vapor during a vaporization cycle, said
control module comprising: one or more sensors for collecting data
related to the operation of said device, at least one of said one
or more sensors detecting the initiation of said vaporization cycle
by a user of said device; a communications module capable of
communicating with a remote computing device; and a processor and
memory for storing data and executing software for performing the
functions of: dynamically altering the operation of said vaporizer
during said vaporization cycle or from cycle-to-cycle to vary a
vaporization temperature based on data stored in said memory;
collecting data from said one or more sensors and storing said
collected data in said memory; and exchanging data with a remote
computing device via said communications module; wherein said
add-on module can provide a unique identifier associated with said
device to said remote computing device.
2. The module of claim 1 wherein said function of exchanging data
includes receiving data from said remote computing device regarding
the operation of said device and storing said data in said
memory.
3. The module of claim 1 wherein said function of exchanging data
includes sending data collected from said one or more sensors to a
remote computing device.
4. The module of claim 3 wherein one or said one or more sensors is
capable of sensing the power remaining in a battery powering said
device.
5. The module of claim 3 wherein one or said one or more sensors is
capable of sensing the quantity of a substance in said
vaporizer.
6. The module of claim 3 wherein said exchanged data includes
information regarding the number of times a user has inhaled vapor
from said device.
7. The module of claim 2 wherein data received from said remote
computing device is associated with said unique identifier.
8. The module of claim 7 wherein only a subset of data received
from a remote computing device is associated with said unique
identifier and further wherein said device only processes said
subset of said data associated with said unique identifier.
9. The module of claim 2 wherein said data received from said
remote computing device includes a operational profile specifying a
timed or continuous sequence of two or more temperatures to be used
by said vaporizer.
10. The module of claim 9 wherein said operational profile may be
named.
11. The module of claim 9 wherein a remote computing device with
which data is being exchanged, coordinates the managing, organizing
and naming of operational profile data.
12. The module of claim 9 wherein, during said vaporization cycle,
the heating of a substance in said vaporizer varies in temperature
according to a timed or continuous sequence of varied temperatures
specified in said operational profile.
13. The module of claim 3 wherein said data sent to said remote
computing device includes data useful for determining compatibility
of components of said device.
14. The module of claim 12 wherein a user using an application on
said remote computing device can perform the functions of:
creating, viewing and managing one or more operational profile;
associate said unique identifier with said one or more operational
profiles, and transmitting said one or more operational profiles
via a uniquely addressable electronic connection to said
device.
15. The module of claim 1 further comprising a sound module for
communication of information with a user via sound
16. The module of claim 1 wherein said module has access to power
after completion of said vaporization cycle, said module completing
secondary tasks during the time between the end of said
vaporization cycle and the loss of power.
17. The module of claim 1 wherein said module can communicate said
unique identifier to a first remote computing device and further
where a second remote computing device can retrieve information
necessary to discover and initiate communications with said device
using said unique identifier.
18. The module of claim 12 wherein said operational profile is used
to vary the vaporization temperature such as to cause the
vaporization of mixed substances at different times during said
vaporization cycle.
19. An electronic cigarette comprising: a vaporization chamber
capable of having the temperature within varied; a power supply; a
user interface, allowing a user to inhale vapors produced by
vaporizing substances placed into said vaporization chamber; one or
more sensors for collecting data related to the operation of said
device, at least one of said one or more sensors detecting the
initiation of said vaporization cycle by a user of said device; a
communications module capable of communicating with a remote
computing device; and a processor and memory for storing data and
executing software for performing the functions of: dynamically
altering the operation of said vaporizer during said vaporization
cycle or from cycle-to-cycle to vary a vaporization temperature
based on data stored in said memory; collecting data from said one
or more sensors and storing said collected data in said memory; and
exchanging data with a remote computing device via said
communications module; wherein said add-on module can provide a
unique identifier associated with said device to said remote
computing device.
20. The device of claim wherein said function of exchanging data
includes receiving data from said remote computing device regarding
the operation of said device and storing said data in said memory
and sending data collected from said one or more sensors to a
remote computing device.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/845,437, filed Jul. 12, 2013.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention related generally to the field of personal
electronic devices and, in particular, to the enhancement of the
performance and enjoyment of such devices through the inclusion of
a networking capability that allows remote data gathering regarding
the use of the device and the control of certain aspects of the
operation of the device. In particular, the invention is related to
the field of electronic cigarettes, also sometimes referred to as
atomizers or vaporizers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Electronic cigarettes are becoming increasingly popular and
today have reached a point where they can include powerful
computerized micro-controllers to provide voltage regulation,
text-based user displays, and other features such as buttons to
adjust voltage. Most of these devices are currently manufactured
overseas and improvements are based on small, incremental changes
to existing power-controller centered designs with minimalist user
interfaces.
[0004] As a result, electronic cigarettes currently on the market
do not take full advantage of the potential networking and sensing
capabilities that could be used for monitoring the operation of the
devices and user control of the functioning of the devices.
[0005] Thus, it would be advantageous and desirable to incorporate
sensors and networking capabilities into these devices to allow the
advantages that could be realized thereby.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0006] This invention presents improvements to prior art personal
electronic devices, such as electronic cigarettes or vaporizers,
and operates to computerize the capture, management, control and
transmission to and from these devices of data generated for and by
the use and operation of the devices.
[0007] We disclose improvements to the current designs of personal
electronic devices in the form of a computerized controller which
will allow smart phones and remote computers to perform dynamic
adjustments on the operation of these devices through networked
connections in real time, and to use the display of these remotely
connected devices to act as the display for the user interface of
the device.
[0008] In the case or an electronic cigarette or vaporizer, the
computerized controller is able to perform functions that will
allow the user to treat the device much as they would an extension
to a modern smart phone and to reap the advantages of the kind of
connectivity, social function and computing power smart phones
offer.
[0009] The invention is embodied by embedding an electronic
communication system in the device that includes a unique
identifier. This allows remote computers to identify, communicate
with and track specific information about specific devices.
Further, a smart phone or computer, using this technology, can act
as a sophisticated display for data generated by the device, or an
interactive display allowing changes on the smart phone screen to
dynamically change the parameters of the operation of the
device.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 shows a generalized representation of the
configuration of the computer-based control unit or the primary
embodiment of the invention. In particular, the Unique ID of the
controller is part of the electronic network interface or the
controller.
[0011] FIG. 2 shows a remote computing device connected to the
personal electronic device and receiving and displaying data
therefrom, in this case a "hit count".
[0012] FIG. 3 shows a remote computing device connected to the
personal electronic device, and transmitting data to control the
operation of the device, in this case the parameter being
controlled is the temperature of the vaporization cycle.
[0013] FIG. 4 shows the computer-based control unit can receiving
data as named sets.
[0014] FIG. 5 depicts the processes of a remote computer or
cellphone "discovering" a device and connecting to it via a
network.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The invention as described herein may be associated with any
type of personal electronic device, but, for purposes of
explanation, embodiments for an electronic cigarette or vaporizer
will be used as an example. These will be referred to herein as the
"device". The invention provides a means to associate a unique
network IP address or other unique electronic identifier with a
device to provide communication capabilities which will allow the
exchange of operational and control data between the device and
other, remotely-connected devices. For purposes of this
application, such remotely-connected devices can include, for
example, smart phones or devices, computers, dedicated appliances
or an application running in a cloud environment. These will be
referred to collectively herein as "remote computing devices".
[0016] The additional components comprising the invention, as shown
in FIG. 1, consist of a processor 60, computer-readable memory 70
and a communication system 80, with software stored in memory 70
and executed by processor 60 to enable the functions described
below. The functions provided as part of the invention will include
the exchange of data with a remote computing device to (1) control
certain parameters of the device's operation and (2) record various
aspects of the device's operation.
[0017] A "vaporization cycle" is typically started when the
initiation sensor 10 is actuated by a user. In an alternative
embodiment, additional user controls could be used to distinguish
between actuating one or both of the vaporization cycle and the
network communications capability.
[0018] As seen in FIG. 1, the device begins operation when
initiation sensor 10 detects the user has initiated a vaporization
cycle. Data stored in computer memory 70 related to the
vaporization cycle and the heating of the vaporizer or atomizer 50
is used to control the operation of heating controller 40 in
accordance with stored instructions execute by processor 60, which
may be provided by default (i.e., permanently stored in memory 70)
or which may be downloaded from a remote computing device as
described below.
[0019] During the vaporization cycle, data regarding operational
parameters and operation of the device is retrieved by processor 60
from memory 70 and used by processor 60 to control the operation of
the device. An example of operational parameters read from memory
might be dynamic temperature adjustments of heating controller
40.
[0020] With reference to FIG. 1, processor 60 will collect data
regarding the operation of the device and either transmit it in
real time to a remote computing device for display, storage or
analysis, or store it locally in memory 70 for later transmission
or use. Data collected regarding the operation of the device would
be stored in memory and for transmission to a remote computing
device either at a time after the vaporization cycle completes or
dynamically as it is collected in real-time, providing, of course,
the network connection is active.
[0021] While the vaporization occurs, processor 60 is also
gathering data from other sensors (not shown) about the state of
the vaporizer and storing this data in memory 70. At some point
after this data is gathered, the user may initiate a networking
connection with the vaporizer to a remote computing device. This
connection will cause processor 60 to scan memory 70 for data that
is to be transmitted to the remote device. After such data is
located, communication system 80 sends the data, along with the
unique identifier of the device, to a remote computing device.
[0022] In the case of wherein communications system 80 is a WiFi,
USB, BlueTooth or wired ethernet connection, the unique identifier
for the communications port may serve as this identifier, for
example, the MAC address in the case of ethernet. In situations
where communications system 80 has no such unique address, the
vaporizer will be configured with a generated identifier during its
manufacture via some hardware or software means. This generated
identifier will be transmitted along with the data such that the
remote computing device can identify the source of the data.
[0023] Some forms of networking which the device could utilize does
not provide a direct means to pair the vaporizer with the remote
computing device. For example, BlueTooth networking provides a
specific means to pair a device (e.g., a mouse) with a computer.
WiFi or ethernet, on the other hand, does not. It is anticipated
that in some embodiments of the invention the device and the remote
computing device will need a commonly accessible third computer,
visible on the network to both, through which a common link can be
created.
[0024] For example, a device may obtain an IP address via its
network interface from a local router to which a remote computing
device is also connected. The user, wishing to use the remote
computing device to control or read data from the device, needs a
means to identify the IP address of the device.
[0025] The invention provides the following means to accomplish
this: The device, on start-up and before it is initially
configured, or when it is actively looking for a network in an
environment with which it has no recorded memory of, would blindly
transmit its IP address along with its unique ID to a third party
computer or website at a known address, e.g.,
www.elementvapors.com. An application running on the website would
consult this same website looking for devices unpaired with a
remote computing device at this same web address. FIG. 5 shows a
device connecting to a remote computing device via a local Wi-Fi
connection.
[0026] The user of the device may wish to transmit data to a remote
computing device for purposes of monitoring the status of the
device. Examples of data which may be collected might include
readings from one or more sensors, that can, for example, determine
the volume of breath the user is applying to the device, determine
the number of vaporization cycles that have occurred since the last
time such data was monitored or determine the number of "hits" that
the user has taken from the device, as shown in FIG. 2.
[0027] Additionally, data regarding the current status of the
device may be collected, for example, the current state of the
battery charge or the current state (i.e., quantity) of the
contents of the vaporization chamber. Specifically, the invention
allows for the collection of data about the state or quantity of
the liquid or other material to be vaporized. This data can be
transmitted to the remote computing device for viewing by a
user.
[0028] To effect this data transfer, the user would cause the
vaporizer to enter a state where the networking function would be
enabled. In a preferred embodiment, this may be accomplished by
utilizing a remote computing device, for example, a smart phone, to
initiate a connection to the device via a wireless means, such as
Wi-Fi or BlueTooth. Once this connection is established the device
is able to transmit its data to the remote computing device.
[0029] In the preferred embodiment, the remote computing device
receiving data from the vaporizer would provide an application to
store and view the data that is generated.
[0030] Similarly, during a vaporization cycle and thereafter,
parameters set by the user can be used by processor 60 to alter the
behavior of the device. Operation of the device's atomizer or
vaporizer, under the control of such data, would allow the user to
apply different configurations to the operation of the device.
[0031] In preferred embodiment, a remote computing device, such as
a smartphone, could be used by the user to configure parameters for
the vaporizer. Once the parameters are configured, for example, by
utilizing an application running on the remote computing device,
these parameters will be transmitted to the device via
communication system 80. An example of parameters that may be set
for a vaporizer-type device would be the setting of parameters to
control the temperature over time of vapor heating element 50.
[0032] Given this capability, it will be possible for a user of a
device equipped with the components of the invention to create a
number of different operational configurations or profiles which
the user may wish to recall at different times. For example, a
"hotter" vaporization temperature setting for use in the morning
and a "cooler" vaporization temperature setting for use in the
evening. The invention allows the user to save a series of settings
as a profile with a given alphanumeric name using the application
running on the remote computing device, or to save the settings on
the device itself by entering a series of button clicks on the
device. FIG. 4 shows the naming and downloading of several named
operational profiles from the remote computing device to the
device. The invention also allows the user to utilize the
electronic communication means to provide for more descriptive
naming via a connected remote computing device, which can also be
used to store the profiles and transmit the profiles to the device
for recall during use.
[0033] As example of such settings would allow for specific control
over the heating cycle used by the device. This can be accomplished
by utilizing a series of timed temperature settings or a continuous
temperature function. When the vaporization cycle is initiated, the
specific heat of the vaporizer at a given time after the initiation
of the cycle is controlled by consulting a table or function. As an
example, various liquids placed in the vaporization chamber may
have varying vaporization temperatures, and as such, the
temperature may be varied accordingly. It may also be possible to
have one or more liquids having different vaporization temperatures
mixed in the vaporization chamber and to time the vaporization of
each individual liquid by varying the temperature of the vaporizer
accordingly.
[0034] Other examples of parameters of the device that could be set
by the user are temperature-related characteristics. Users of
vaporizers have preferred characteristics for their use. For
example, "throat hit" is the way in which the vapor initially feels
in the user's throat when they begin inhaling the vapor. Each user
has a preferred specific value or values for these characteristics.
The invention allows the user to control temperature-related
characteristics by providing an application on a remote computing
device that allows the user to "draw out" the characteristics via a
graphics user interface, in the preferred embodiment some type of
interactive graphing application, and to transmit the data
represented by the graph to the device for testing or saving as a
"named" setting. FIG. 3 shows a graph on a remote computing device
being converted into an operational profile and being downloaded to
the device.
[0035] In one embodiment, the vaporizer could remain connected to
the remote computing device while the user continues to operate the
vaporizer. In such a case, controller 80 could transmit real-time
data directly to the remote computing device about the process.
When the user has finished using the device, the network connection
could be disabled to save battery power.
[0036] Alternatively, the device could collect data regarding its
operation and store it in memory 70 for a one-time transmission to
the remote computing device at a later time. This embodiment may be
useful when the vaporizer is out of range of a means for connecting
to a remote computing device, or is conserving power.
[0037] Some types of vaporizers provide the ability to utilize
interchangeable components or parts, for example, different
batteries with different characteristics, vaporizers or atomizers
with different ohm ratings, etc. Many of these components have
specific requirements that, if mismatched with other
interchangeable components, would cause damage to the component or
to another component, for example, a lithium ion battery. The
invention specifically allows for the gathering and storing of
information about the configuration of the device, either manually
or via sensors located in the device itself, or in a remote
computer and comparing that configuration with an idealized
template or model configuration. The comparison would indicate to
the user if there are any incompatibilities between the actual
configuration and the template.
[0038] Other embodiments of the invention allow users to
personalize the devices in a variety of ways. The invention allows
the attachment of a sound-generating module that would allow the
creation of sounds as part of the vaporization cycle. The sounds
could be stored in named configurations and transmitted to and from
the remote computing device for storage for further storage or
manipulation.
[0039] Some secondary functions, such as playing sounds or
exchanging data with the remote computing device may require
processor 60 to operate beyond the end of the vaporization cycle.
For example, a sound may play for five seconds but the user only
triggers a three second vaporization cycle. In such a case
processor 60 may continue to operation beyond the vaporization
cycle to complete the action. The invention provides a means for
processor 60 to affect its own power supply such that it can
control how long it continues to be powered after the cycle
completes.
[0040] It will be understood that the preferred embodiments of the
present invention have been disclosed by way of example and that
other modifications and alterations may occur to those skilled in
the art without departing from the scope of the disclosure
herein.
* * * * *
References