U.S. patent application number 15/219033 was filed with the patent office on 2018-01-25 for data connection for an electronic smoking device.
The applicant listed for this patent is Fontem Holdings 1 B.V.. Invention is credited to Ramon Alarcon.
Application Number | 20180020724 15/219033 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59399309 |
Filed Date | 2018-01-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180020724 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Alarcon; Ramon |
January 25, 2018 |
Data Connection for an Electronic Smoking Device
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.
Inventors: |
Alarcon; Ramon; (Los Gatos,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Fontem Holdings 1 B.V. |
Amsterdam |
|
NL |
|
|
Family ID: |
59399309 |
Appl. No.: |
15/219033 |
Filed: |
July 25, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
717/168 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M 15/06 20130101;
H04L 67/306 20130101; G06F 16/211 20190101; A24F 47/008 20130101;
H04W 8/245 20130101; G06Q 30/0269 20130101; G06F 8/65 20130101;
H04W 8/22 20130101; G06F 16/22 20190101 |
International
Class: |
A24F 47/00 20060101
A24F047/00; G06F 17/30 20060101 G06F017/30; G06F 9/445 20060101
G06F009/445; G06Q 30/02 20060101 G06Q030/02; H04L 29/08 20060101
H04L029/08 |
Claims
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 of claim 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 of claim 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 of claim 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 of claim 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 of claim 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 of claim 1, wherein the processor (42)
comprises at least one of a personal computer or a mobile
device.
8. The data exchange system of claim 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 of claim 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 of claim 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 of claim 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 of claim 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 of claim 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 of claim 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 of claim 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 of claim 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 of claim 16, further comprising tracing the
electronic smoking device (10) using the user record.
20. The method of claim 16, further comprising providing marketing
information to the user based on the user record.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to electronic
smoking devices and in particular electronic cigarettes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 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
[0003] 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.
[0004] 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
[0005] In the drawings, the same element numbers indicate the same
elements in each of the views:
[0006] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional illustration of an
exemplary e-cigarette;
[0007] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating data communication
pathways between an exemplary e-cigarette and a processor;
[0008] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary data
exchange system.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0009] Throughout the following, an electronic smoking device will
be exemplarily described with reference to an e-cigarette. As is
shown in FIG. 1, an e-cigarette (or eCig) 10 typically has a
housing comprising a cylindrical hollow tube having an end cap 12.
The cylindrical hollow tube may be a single-piece or a
multiple-piece tube. In FIG. 1, the cylindrical hollow tube is
shown as a two-piece structure having a power supply portion 14 and
an atomizer/liquid reservoir portion 16. Together the power supply
portion 14 and the atomizer/liquid reservoir portion 16 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.
[0010] The power supply portion 14 and atomizer/liquid reservoir
portion 16 are typically made of metal (e.g., steel or aluminum, or
of hardwearing plastic) and act together with the end cap 12 to
provide a housing to contain the components of the e-cigarette 10.
The power supply portion 14 and the atomizer/liquid reservoir
portion 16 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. The end cap 12 is provided at the front end
of the power supply portion 14. The end cap 12 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.
[0011] 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 the
power supply portion 14 and the atomizer/liquid reservoir portion
16. FIG. 1 shows a pair of air inlets 20 provided at the
intersection between the power supply portion 14 and the
atomizer/liquid reservoir portion 16.
[0012] A power supply, preferably a battery 22, the LED 18, control
electronics 24 and, optionally, an airflow sensor 26 are provided
within the cylindrical hollow tube power supply portion 14. The
battery 22 is electrically connected to the control electronics 24,
which are electrically connected to the LED 18 and the airflow
sensor 26. In this example, the LED 18 is at the front end of the
power supply portion 14, adjacent to the end cap 12; and the
control electronics 24 and airflow sensor 26 are provided in the
central cavity at the other end of the battery 22 adjacent the
atomizer/liquid reservoir portion 16.
[0013] The airflow sensor 26 acts as a puff detector, detecting a
user puffing or sucking on the atomizer/liquid reservoir portion 16
of the e-cigarette 10. The airflow sensor 26 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.
[0014] The control electronics 24 are also connected to an atomizer
28. In the example shown, the atomizer 28 includes a heating coil
30 which is wrapped around a wick 32 extending across a central
passage 34 of the atomizer/liquid reservoir portion 16. The central
passage 34 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 portion 16 of the e-cigarette 10. The coil 30 may be
positioned anywhere in the atomizer 28 and may be transverse or
parallel to a longitudinal axis of a cylindrical liquid reservoir
36. The wick 32 and heating coil 30 do not completely block the
central passage 34. Rather an air gap is provided on either side of
the heating coil 30 enabling air to flow past the heating coil 30
and the wick 32. 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.
[0015] The central passage 34 is surrounded by the cylindrical
liquid reservoir 36 with the ends of the wick 32 abutting or
extending into the liquid reservoir 36. The wick 32 may be a porous
material such as a bundle of fiberglass fibers or cotton or bamboo
yarn, with liquid in the liquid reservoir 36 drawn by capillary
action from the ends of the wick 32 towards the central portion of
the wick 32 encircled by the heating coil 30.
[0016] The liquid reservoir 36 may alternatively include wadding
(not shown in FIG. 1) soaked in liquid which encircles the central
passage 34 with the ends of the wick 32 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 the
wick 32 extending into the toroidal cavity.
[0017] An air inhalation port 38 is provided at the back end of the
atomizer/liquid reservoir portion 16 remote from the end cap 12.
The inhalation port 38 may be formed from the cylindrical hollow
tube atomizer/liquid reservoir portion 16 or may be formed in an
end cap.
[0018] In use, a user sucks on the e-cigarette 10. This causes air
to be drawn into the e-cigarette 10 via one or more air inlets,
such as air inlets 20, and to be drawn through the central passage
34 towards the air inhalation port 38. The change in air pressure
which arises is detected by the airflow sensor 26, which generates
an electrical signal that is passed to the control electronics 24.
In response to the signal, the control electronics 24 activate the
heating coil 30, which causes liquid present in the wick 32 to be
vaporized creating an aerosol (which may comprise gaseous and
liquid components) within the central passage 34. As the user
continues to suck on the e-cigarette 10, this aerosol is drawn
through the central passage 34 and inhaled by the user. At the same
time, the control electronics 24 also activate the LED 18 causing
the LED 18 to light up, which is visible via the translucent end
cap 12. Activation of the LED may mimic the appearance of a glowing
ember at the end of a conventional cigarette. As liquid present in
the wick 32 is converted into an aerosol, more liquid is drawn into
the wick 32 from the liquid reservoir 36 by capillary action and
thus is available to be converted into an aerosol through
subsequent activation of the heating coil 30.
[0019] Some e-cigarette are intended to be disposable and the
electric power in the battery 22 is intended to be sufficient to
vaporize the liquid contained within the liquid reservoir 36, after
which the e-cigarette 10 is thrown away. In other embodiments, the
battery 22 is rechargeable and the liquid reservoir 36 is
refillable. In the cases where the liquid reservoir 36 is a
toroidal cavity, this may be achieved by refilling the liquid
reservoir 36 via a refill port (not shown in FIG. 1). In other
embodiments, the atomizer/liquid reservoir portion 16 of the
e-cigarette 10 is detachable from the power supply portion 14 and a
new atomizer/liquid reservoir portion 16 can be fitted with a new
liquid reservoir 36 thereby replenishing the supply of liquid. In
some cases, replacing the liquid reservoir 36 may involve
replacement of the heating coil 30 and the wick 32 along with the
replacement of the liquid reservoir 36. A replaceable unit
comprising the atomizer 28 and the liquid reservoir 36 may be
referred to as a cartomizer.
[0020] The new liquid reservoir may be in the form of a cartridge
(not shown in FIG. 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 the air
inhalation port 38.
[0021] Of course, in addition to the above description of the
structure and function of a typical e-cigarette 10, variations also
exist. For example, the LED 18 may be omitted. The airflow sensor
26 may be placed, for example, adjacent to the end cap 12 rather
than in the middle of the e-cigarette. The airflow sensor 26 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.
[0022] 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.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a block diagram depicting data exchange pathways
between the e-cigarette 10, a charger 40, and a processor 42. The
e-cigarette 10 can connect to a charger 40 in order to charge the
battery 22 (see FIG. 1) of the e-cigarette 10. In addition to this
charging function, the charger 40 can exchange data with the
e-cigarette 10. The data exchange can occur, for example, through a
dedicated data line or signals obtained from a power line
connecting the charger 40 and the e-cigarette 10 during charging.
When a data line is used to transfer data between the e-cigarette
10 and the charger 40, 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-cigarette 10 to the charger 40
includes identifying data, such as a serial number, a calibration
parameter, a batch code, a line number, or a barcode associated
with the e-cigarette 10. In another embodiment, the data that can
be transferred from the e-cigarette 10 to the charger 40 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.
[0024] The charger 40 can also exchange data with the processor 42,
such as through a dedicated data line or power line as described
above. In an embodiment, the processor 42 can be a personal
computer (PC), a tablet PC, or a mobile device, such as a smart
phone. In another embodiment, the processor 42 can be a charging or
holding pack for the e-cigarette 10. The processor 42 may have a
custom communication driver (e.g., an application) that enables it
to exchange data with the charger 40. The data that can be
transferred from the charger 40 to the processor 42 includes
identifying and usage data from the e-cigarette 10, for example, as
described above. In an embodiment, data can also be transferred
from the processor 42 to the charger 40, including data related to
various charging protocols, for example.
[0025] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary data
exchange system 300. At step 44, calibration and/or serialization
of the e-cigarette 10 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.
[0026] Once the calibration/serialization step 44 has occurred, the
identifying data associated with the e-cigarette 10 can be
transferred to a database 46 for storage and processing. The
database 46 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-cigarette 10 can be
transferred to the database 46 via a processor 42A. Identifying
data from the e-cigarette 10 can be transferred to the processor
42A either directly (e.g., via a wireless connection, such as
Bluetooth, between the e-cigarette 10 and the processor 42A) or via
a charger, such as described above with respect to FIG. 2. The
processor 42A can then transfer the data to the database 46 either
directly or via a communication network 48, such as a server-based
network, LAN, WAN, Internet, intranet, Wi-Fi network, Bluetooth
network, cellular network and/or the like.
[0027] Subsequent to the calibration/serialization step 44 and the
transfer of identifying data to the database 46, the e-cigarette is
shipped at step 50 and sold in a retail setting, such as a store,
kiosk, or online retailer, at step 52. After purchase, a user may
register the e-cigarette 10 during a user registration step 54. The
user may register the e-cigarette by using a processor 42B, for
example. In addition, a communication network (not shown in FIG. 3)
may be used in the process of registration.
[0028] During the user registration step 54, the user may enter
demographic data (e.g., name, age, gender, location, hobbies,
flavor preferences, etc.) as well as the identifying data from the
purchased e-cigarette 10 into the processor 42B. The processor 42B
can then communicate this information to the database 46 either
directly or via a communication network (not shown in FIG. 3).
[0029] Next, the user will eventually connect the registered
e-cigarette 10 to a charger at step 56. While the e-cigarette 10 is
charging, usage data can be transferred from the charger to the
processor 42B, as described above with respect to FIG. 2. In some
embodiments, the e-cigarette may be connected directly to the
processor 42B without using the charger as an intermediary.
[0030] 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 the e-cigarette 10.
Once the usage data has been transferred to the processor 42B, it
can subsequently be transferred to the database 46. The database 46
can then associate the user data (including demographic and usage
data) with the identifying data for a given e-cigarette 10, thereby
creating a user record. The database 46 can store multiple user
records.
[0031] User records stored within the database 46 can be used for
several purposes. In an embodiment, user records can be used to
provide firmware updates to the user for their e-cigarette 10. 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), the database 46 can provide the firmware
update to the processor 42B. The processor 42B may have an
application (i.e., an "app") enabling it to receive and communicate
the firmware update. When the user connects their e-cigarette 10 to
the processor 42B (either directly or via a charger), the firmware
can be updated. Alternatively, a user can obtain a firmware update
for their e-cigarette 10 by requesting it directly from a processor
or communication network (e.g. the manufacturer's website) that can
communicate with the database 46.
[0032] Other uses of user records stored within the database 46
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, the database 46 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 the processor 42B, for example.
[0033] 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.
[0034] 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.
[0035] In one aspect, the database is further configured to provide
marketing information to the processor based on the user
record.
[0036] 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.
[0037] 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.
[0038] 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.
[0039] In one aspect, the processor comprises at least one of a
personal computer or a mobile device.
[0040] In one aspect, the database is configured to receive the
identifying data or the user data via a communication network.
[0041] In one aspect, the processor is configured to receive the
user data from the electronic smoking device via a charger.
[0042] In one aspect, the database is configured to receive the
identifying data from the electronic smoking device via a
processor.
[0043] 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.
[0044] 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.
[0045] 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.
[0046] 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.
[0047] In one aspect, the processor comprises a personal computer
or a mobile device.
[0048] 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.
[0049] 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.
[0050] 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.
[0051] In one aspect, the method further comprises tracing the
electronic smoking device using the user record.
[0052] In one aspect, the method further comprises providing
marketing information to the user based on the user record.
[0053] 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
[0054] 10 electronic smoking device [0055] 12 end cap [0056] 14
power supply portion [0057] 16 atomizer/liquid reservoir portion
[0058] 18 light-emitting diode (LED) [0059] 20 air inlets [0060] 22
battery [0061] 24 control electronics [0062] 26 airflow sensor
[0063] 28 atomizer [0064] 30 heating coil [0065] 32 wick [0066] 34
central passage [0067] 36 liquid reservoir [0068] 38 air inhalation
port [0069] 40 charger [0070] 42/42A/42B processor [0071] 44
calibration/serialization step [0072] 46 database [0073] 48
communication network [0074] 50 shipping step [0075] 52 retail step
[0076] 54 user registration step [0077] 56 connect and charge
step
* * * * *