Control Method For Electronic Cigarette Apparatus And System, And Electronic Cigarette

QIU; WEI-HUA

Patent Application Summary

U.S. patent application number 15/937887 was filed with the patent office on 2018-08-02 for control method for electronic cigarette apparatus and system, and electronic cigarette. The applicant listed for this patent is JOYETECH EUROPE HOLDING GMBH. Invention is credited to WEI-HUA QIU.

Application Number20180213849 15/937887
Document ID /
Family ID55330423
Filed Date2018-08-02

United States Patent Application 20180213849
Kind Code A1
QIU; WEI-HUA August 2, 2018

CONTROL METHOD FOR ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE APPARATUS AND SYSTEM, AND ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an electronic cigarette control method, which includes following steps: receiving a verification information input by a user; determining whether the user is verified or not according to the verification information; if the user is verified, sending a startup instruction to an electronic cigarette in communication with the terminal, the startup instruction is a necessary condition to control an atomizer of an electronic cigarette to start operating. The present disclosure further provides an electronic cigarette control apparatus, system, and an electronic cigarette. Unauthorized users can thus be prevented from using the device, thereby making electronic cigarettes safer and hygienic.


Inventors: QIU; WEI-HUA; (ChangZhou, CN)
Applicant:
Name City State Country Type

JOYETECH EUROPE HOLDING GMBH

ZUG

CH
Family ID: 55330423
Appl. No.: 15/937887
Filed: March 28, 2018

Related U.S. Patent Documents

Application Number Filing Date Patent Number
PCT/CN2016/098504 Sep 9, 2016
15937887

Current U.S. Class: 1/1
Current CPC Class: A24F 47/008 20130101; G06F 21/31 20130101; G06F 21/629 20130101; G06F 2221/2149 20130101
International Class: A24F 47/00 20060101 A24F047/00

Foreign Application Data

Date Code Application Number
Sep 28, 2015 CN 201510623756.6

Claims



1. An electronic cigarette control method, comprising following steps: receiving, at a terminal, a verification information input by a user; determining, at the terminal, whether the user is verified or not according to the verification information; sending, from the terminal, a startup instruction to an electronic cigarette in communication with the terminal, if the user is verified, wherein the startup instruction acts a necessary condition to control the atomizer of the electronic cigarette to start operating.

2. An electronic cigarette control method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electronic cigarette is in communication with the terminal in a wired or wireless connection.

3. An electronic cigarette control method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of determining whether the user is verified or not comprises: determining whether a verification information matches a preset user information or not, and if the verification information matches the user information, the user is verified.

4. An electronic cigarette control method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the preset user information comprises at least one of a biological information, a password information, and an IC card information, the biological information comprises at least one of a voice information, a fingerprint information, an iris information, a vein infrared information, a facial information, a palm shape information, a signature information, a human odor information, and a retinal information.

5. An electronic cigarette control method as claimed in claim 1, after the step of determining whether the user is verified or not according to the verification information, the method further comprises: Outputting, at the terminal, an indicator message indicating a verification result of the user, wherein the verification result comprises validation or non-validation; or Sending, from the terminal, an inform instruction to the electronic cigarette to trigger the electronic cigarette output the indicator message accordingly.

6. An electronic cigarette control method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the indicator message is in a form of voice, or picture, or light, or vibration.

7. An electronic cigarette control method as claimed in claim 1, after the step of sending the startup instruction to an electronic cigarette in communication with the terminal, the method further comprises: receiving, from the electronic cigarette, airflow signals in real time, when the electronic cigarette detects inhaling airflows of the user, and timing intervals between the airflow signals, an interval is the time of receiving every two airflow signals; and sending, from the terminal, a stop instruction to the electronic cigarette to trigger the atomizer of the electronic cigarette to stop operating, when an interval reach a preset threshold value.

8. An electronic cigarette control method as claimed in claim 1, after the step of the terminal sending startup instruction to the electronic cigarette, the method further comprises: outputting, at the terminal, an indicator message indicating a verification result of the user, wherein the verification result comprises validation or non-validation; or sending, at the terminal, an inform instruction for the verification result to the electronic cigarette.

9. An electronic cigarette control method as claimed in claim 8, after the step of the terminal sending the inform instruction for the verification result of the user to the electronic cigarette, the method further comprises: the electronic cigarette receives the inform instruction, and outputs an indictor message accordingly.

10. An electronic cigarette control method, wherein the method includes following steps: receiving, at an electronic cigarette, a startup instruction sent by a terminal in communication with the electronic cigarette, the startup instruction is sent when a user is verified by the terminal; the startup instruction acts as a necessary condition to control an atomizer of the electronic cigarette to start operating.

11. An electronic cigarette control method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the step of receiving the startup instruction sent by the terminal in communication with the electronic cigarette further comprises: receiving, at the electronic cigarette, an inform instruction for the verification result sent by the terminal; and outputting, at the electronic cigarette, an indicator message indicating the verification result, wherein the verification result comprises validation or non-validation.

12. An electronic cigarette control method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the indicator message is in a form of voice, or picture, or light, or vibration.

13. An electronic cigarette control method as claimed in claim 10, wherein after the step of controlling the atomizer of the electronic cigarette to start operating, the step further comprises: sending, at the electronic cigarette, an airflow signal to the terminal when an inhaling airflow of the user is detected by the electronic cigarette; controlling, at the electronic cigarette, the atomizer of the electronic cigarette to stop operating when a stop instruction sent by the terminal is received.

14. An electronic cigarette control method as claimed in claim 10, wherein after the step of controlling the atomizer of the electronic cigarette to start operating, the step further comprises: detecting, at the electronic cigarette, inhaling airflows of the user, and timing intervals between the detected inhaling airflows, wherein an interval is the time of receiving every two airflow signals; controlling, at the electronic cigarette, the atomizer of the electronic cigarette to stop operating when an interval arrives a preset threshold value.

15. A terminal, comprising: a transceiver, configured to receive a verification information input by a user; a controller, configured to determine whether the user is verified or not verified according to the verification information, if the user is verified, the transceiver is configured to send a startup instruction to an electronic cigarette in communication with the terminal, wherein the startup instruction acts a necessary condition to control the atomizer of the electronic cigarette to start operating.

16. A terminal as claimed in claim 15, wherein the controller is further configured to determine whether the verification information matches a preset user information or not, if the verification information matches the user information, the user is verified.

17. A terminal as claimed in claim 16, after the step of determining whether the user is verified or not, the controller is further configured to: output an indicator message indicating a verification result of the user, wherein the verification result comprises validation or non-validation; or control the transceiver to send an inform instruction to the electronic cigarette to trigger the electronic cigarette output the indicator message accordingly.

18. A terminal as claimed in claim 15, after the transceiver sending the startup instruction to the electronic cigarette in communication with the terminal, the transceiver is further configured to: receive airflow signals in real time, and time intervals between the airflow signals, the interval is the time of receiving every two airflow signals;

19. A terminal as claimed in claim 18, wherein when an interval arrives a preset threshold value, the transceiver is configured to send a stop instruction to the electronic cigarette to trigger the atomizer of the electronic cigarette to stop operating.

20. A terminal as claimed in claim 15, after the transceiver sending the startup instruction to the electronic cigarette, the controller is configured to: output an indicator message indicating a verification result of the user, wherein the verification result comprises validation or non-validation; or control the transceiver to send an inform instruction for the verification result to the electronic cigarette.
Description



FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to electronic cigarettes, and more particularly to an electronic cigarette control method, an electronic cigarette control apparatus and an electronic cigarette control system, and an electronic cigarette.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Electronic cigarettes usually have an entity control switch, such as a button, which can be used to activate the electronic cigarette as long as the button is operated, during which time the user can inhale.

[0003] However, the current electronic cigarette doesn't have protecting function for different groups of people. Anyone can get the electronic cigarette and operate the control switch, to start inhaling. For younger children, it is easy to smoke, which brings certain harm to children and hurts their safety and health. Even adults, if someone else gets the electronic cigarette and inhales, the user health of the electronic cigarette cannot be guaranteed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] Many aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

[0005] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the application environment of an embodiment of an electronic cigarette control method.

[0006] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an electronic cigarette control method in a first embodiment.

[0007] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an electronic cigarette control method in a third embodiment.

[0008] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an electronic cigarette control method in a fourth embodiment.

[0009] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an electronic cigarette control method in a fifth embodiment.

[0010] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an electronic cigarette control method in a sixth embodiment.

[0011] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an electronic cigarette control method in a seventh embodiment.

[0012] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an electronic cigarette control method in an eighth embodiment.

[0013] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an electronic cigarette control apparatus in a first embodiment.

[0014] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an electronic cigarette control apparatus in a second embodiment.

[0015] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an electronic cigarette control system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] The present disclosure, including the accompanying drawings, is illustrated by way of examples and not by way of limitation. In general, the word "module," as used hereinafter, refers to logic embodied in hardware or firmware, or to a collection of software instructions, written in a programming language, such as, for example, Java, C, or assembly. One or more software instructions in the modules may be embedded in firmware. It will be appreciated that modules may comprise connected logic units, such as gates and flip-flops, and may comprise programmable units, such as programmable gate arrays or processors. The modules described herein may be implemented as either software and/or hardware modules and may be stored in any type of non-transitory computer-readable storage medium or other computer storage device. The term "comprising," when utilized, means "including, but not necessarily limited to"; it specifically indicates open-ended inclusion or membership in the so-described combination, group, series, and the like.

[0017] FIG. 1 shows the application environment of the disclosed electronic cigarette control method. The electronic cigarette control method can be applied in an electronic cigarette 1 or a terminal 2. The electronic cigarette 1 includes a signal transceiver 11, an airflow sensor 12, an atomizer 13, a control unit 14, a reminding device 15, a storage unit 16, a control switch 17 and a battery assembly 18. The signal transceiver 11 can communicate with the terminal 2 in a wired or wireless connection, thus data can be transmitted between the electronic cigarette 1 and the terminal 2. The terminal 2 includes but is not limited to mobile phones, smart watches, smart bracelets, smart TV, intelligent router, tablet computers, laptop and other electronic devices.

[0018] The airflow sensor 12 is configured to detect an inhaling airflow of a user. The atomizer 13 is configured to atomize liquid tobacco stored in the electronic cigarette 1 according to the inhaling airflow detected by the airflow sensor 12, to imitate real smoke. The control unit 14 is electrically connected to the signal transceiver 11, the airflow sensor 12, the atomizer 13, the reminding device 15, the storage unit 16, the control switch 17 and the battery assembly 18, to control various electronic cigarette functions. The reminding device 15 is configured to output an indicator message used to remind the user according to an instruction from the control unit 14. The storage unit 16 is configured to store and read data. The control switch 17 is configured to trigger the atomizer 13 to start or stop operating according to the user selection. The battery assembly 18 is configured to supply power to all components of the electronic cigarette 1.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an electronic cigarette control method in a first embodiment. In the illustrated embodiment, the electronic cigarette control method is applied in the terminal 2. The electronic cigarette control method includes following steps:

[0020] In step S11, receiving a verification information input by a user;

[0021] In step S12, determining whether the user is verified or not verified according to the verification information;

[0022] In step S13, if the user is verified, sending a startup instruction to the electronic cigarette 1 in communication with the terminal 2, the startup instruction is a necessary condition for controlling the atomizer 13 of the electronic cigarette 1 to start operating.

[0023] In the disclosed electronic cigarette control method, the terminal 2 verifies the user according to the input verification information. When the user is verified, the terminal 2 sends the startup instruction to the electronic cigarette 1. The electronic cigarette 1 controls the atomizer 13 to start operating with the startup instruction acting as a necessary condition. Unauthorized users can thus be prevented from using the device, thereby making the electronic cigarette safer and hygienic.

[0024] In other embodiments, the details of the above steps are as follows.

[0025] In the step S11, the terminal 2 receives the verification information via an input unit of the terminal 2, such as a keyboard or a touch screen. Specifically, the verification information may include at least one of a biological information, a password information, and an IC card information. The biological information may include at least one of a voice information, a fingerprint information, an iris information, a vein infrared information, a facial information, a palm shape information, a signature information, a human odor information, and a retinal information.

[0026] In the step S12, the terminal 2 determines whether the user is verified by determining whether the verification information matches preset user information. The preset user information may include at least one of a biological information, a password information, and an IC card information. The biological information may include at least one of a voice information, a fingerprint information, an iris information, a vein infrared information, a facial information, a palm shape information, a signature information, a human odor information, and a retinal information. If the verification information matches the user information, the user passes the verification. If the verification information doesn't match the user information, the user fails to pass the verification.

[0027] If the user is verified, the terminal 2 sends the startup instruction to the electronic cigarette 1 in the step S13. The startup instruction is required for the atomizer 13 of the electronic cigarette 1 to start operating. Specifically, the precondition for the control unit 14 of the electronic cigarette 1 controlling the atomizer 13 to start operating is receiving the startup instruction, but the startup instruction may not be the only condition for controlling the atomizer 13 to start operating, besides the condition of receiving the startup instruction, when other conditions are met at the same time, the atomizer 13 can be controlled to start operating.

[0028] A second embodiment provides an electronic cigarette control method. In the illustrated embodiment, the details of the startup instruction being the necessary condition for controlling the atomizer 13 of the electronic cigarette 1 to start operating in the step S13 are as follows.

[0029] The startup instruction is configured to trigger the atomizer 13 of the electronic cigarette 1 to start operating; or the startup instruction is configured to activate the function of the control switch 17 of the electronic cigarette 1 to trigger the atomizer 13 to start operating according to the user selection.

[0030] Specifically, the startup instruction may act as the only condition for triggering the atomizer 13 to start operating. When the electronic cigarette receives the startup instruction, the control unit 14 controls the atomizer 13 to start operating.

[0031] The conditions for the atomizer 13 to start operating may include instruction for opening the control switch 17 by the user, besides the startup instruction. Specifically, before the electronic cigarette 1 receives the startup instruction, the function of the control switch 17 is in locked state. In the locked state, even though the user opens the control switch 17, the atomizer 13 will not start operating. When the electronic cigarette 1 receives the startup instruction, the function of the control switch 17 is activated, and if the user opens the control switch 17, the atomizer 13 will start operating.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 3, the present disclosure provides a third embodiment of an electronic cigarette control method. Compared with the electronic cigarette control method of the first embodiment, a step S14 is executed after executing the step S13.

[0033] In the step S14, an indicator message indicating a verification result of the user is output; or an inform instruction is sent to the electronic cigarette 1 to trigger the electronic cigarette 1 to output the indicator message accordingly. The verification result includes validation or non-validation. The indicator message can be output as voice, or picture, or light, or vibration.

[0034] Specifically, the terminal 2 outputs the indicator message via a voice output unit, or a displaying screen, or a LED light, or a vibrator. For example, if the verification result is validation, the voice output unit informs the user by the way of voice prompting, or a validation text is displayed on the displaying screen, or the LED light is in red, or the vibrator makes the terminal 2 vibrate. If the verification result is non-validation, the voice output unit informs the user by the way of voice prompting, or a non-validation text is displayed on the displaying screen, or the LED light is in green, or the vibrator is quiet.

[0035] In the step S14, the inform instruction is sent to the electronic cigarette 1 to trigger the electronic cigarette 1 to output the indicator message accordingly. Specifically, after the electronic cigarette 1 receiving the inform instruction, the indicator message can be output by the reminding device 15. In the illustrated embodiment, the reminding device 15 may include at least one of a voice prompting unit, a screen displaying unit, a prompting light unit, and a vibration prompting unit. The electronic cigarette 1 can output the indicator message as voice, or picture, or light, or vibration via the reminding device 15.

[0036] In the illustrated embodiment, the verification result of the user can be indicated to the user via terminal 2 or electronic cigarette 1 when the user is verified. Thus, it is convenient for user to acquire the verification result and the location of the electronic cigarette 1.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 4, the present disclosure provides an electronic cigarette control method of a fourth embodiment. Compared with the electronic cigarette control method of the first embodiment, after the step S13, the electronic cigarette control method of the fourth embodiment includes the following steps.

[0038] In step S15, receiving airflow signals sent by the electronic cigarette 1 in real time, and timing the intervals between the received airflow signals.

[0039] In step S16, when an interval arrives a preset threshold value, sending a stop instruction to the electronic cigarette 1 to trigger the atomizer 13 of the electronic cigarette 1 to stop operating.

[0040] Specifically, the airflow sensor 12 of the electronic cigarette 1 detects inhaling airflows of the user in real time, and informs the control unit 14. When the control unit 14 receives a notification of the inhaling airflow being detected, the signal transceiver 11 sends an airflow signal to the terminal 2. Thus the terminal 2 is informed that the user is using the electronic cigarette 1. In the step S15, the airflow signals are received in real time, and the intervals between the received airflow signals are timed. The intervals between the received airflow signals are configured to refer that the electronic cigarette 1 is used by the user during the time interval. When an interval arrives the preset threshold value, the user is determined to stop using the electronic cigarette 1, and the stop instruction is sent to the electronic cigarette 1 in the step S16, the atomizer 13 is triggered to stop operating.

[0041] In the illustrated embodiment, the terminal 2 determines whether the user is using the electronic cigarette 1 or not via the interval time between the inhaling airflows detected by the electronic cigarette 1. If the user is determined to stop using the electronic cigarette 1, the terminal 2 controls the atomizer 13 to stop operating by sending the stop instruction to the electronic cigarette 1. Thus, the loss of the electronic cigarette 1 is reduced.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 5, the present disclosure provides an electronic cigarette control method of a fifth embodiment. In the illustrated embodiment, the electronic cigarette control method is applied in the electronic cigarette 1, and includes the following steps.

[0043] In step S21, receiving a startup instruction, the startup instruction is sent by the terminal 2 when the user is verified.

[0044] In step S22, the startup instruction acts as a necessary condition to control the atomizer 13 of the electronic cigarette 1 to start operating.

[0045] In other embodiments, the details of the step S21 and the step S22 are as follows.

[0046] In the step S21, the verification process of the terminal 2 is same as the step S11 and the step S12 described in the first embodiment. When the user is verified by the terminal 2, the electronic cigarette 1 receives the startup instruction via the signal transceiver 11.

[0047] After the startup instruction is received, in the step S21, an inform instruction corresponding the verification result sent by the terminal 2 is received, and an indicator message is output accordingly. The verification result includes validation or non-validation. Specifically, the electronic cigarette 1 can output the indicator message via the reminding device 15. In the illustrated embodiment, the reminding device 15 may include at least one of voice prompting unit, displaying screen unit, prompting light unit, and vibration prompting unit. The electronic cigarette 1 can output the indicator message as voice, or picture, or light, or vibration via the reminding device 15.

[0048] In the step S22, the startup instruction acts as the necessary condition to control the atomizer 13 to start operating. Specifically, the precondition of the atomizer 13 starting operating is receiving the startup instruction, but the startup instruction may be not the only condition to control the atomizer 13 to start operating, besides receiving the startup instruction, other conditions should be met at the same time, the atomizer 13 can be controlled to start operating.

[0049] Specifically, in the step S22, the atomizer 13 is triggered to start operating according to the startup instruction; or the startup instruction activates the function of the control switch 17 to trigger the atomizer 13 to start operating according to the user selection.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 6, the present disclosure provides an electronic cigarette control method of a sixth embodiment. Compared with the electronic cigarette control method of the fifth embodiment, after the step S22, the electronic cigarette control method of the sixth embodiment includes following steps.

[0051] In step S23, sending an airflow to the terminal 2, when an inhaling airflow is detected.

[0052] In step S24, controlling the atomizer 13 of the electronic cigarette 1 to stop operating, when a stop instruction sent by the terminal 2 is received.

[0053] Specifically, in the step S23, the airflow sensor 12 of the electronic cigarette 1 detects the inhaling airflow of the user in real time, and informs the control unit 14. When the control unit 14 receives the notification of the detected inhaling airflow, the airflow signal is sent to the terminal 2 via the signal transceiver 11. Thus, the terminal 2 is informed that the user is using the electronic cigarette 1.

[0054] When the terminal 2 determines the user stop using the electronic cigarette 1 according to the airflow signal, a stop instruction is sent by the terminal 2. The atomizer 13 stops operating according to the stop instruction in the step S24.

[0055] In the illustrated embodiment, the terminal 2 determines whether the user is using the electronic cigarette 1 or not via the interval time between the inhaling airflows detected by the electronic cigarette 1. If the user stops using the electronic cigarette 1, the terminal 2 controls the atomizer 13 to stop operating by sending the stop instruction to the electronic cigarette 1. Thus, the loss of the electronic cigarette 1 is reduced.

[0056] Referring to FIG. 7, the present disclosure provides an electronic cigarette control method of a seventh embodiment. Compared with the electronic cigarette control method of the fifth embodiment, after the step S22, the electronic cigarette control method of the seventh embodiment includes following steps.

[0057] In step S25, detecting inhaling airflows of the user, and timing the intervals between the detected inhaling airflows.

[0058] In step S26, when an interval arrives the preset threshold value, controlling the atomizer 13 of the electronic cigarette 1 to stop operating.

[0059] Specifically, in the step S25, the airflow sensor 12 detects the inhaling airflow of the user in real time, and informs the control unit 14. The control unit 14 times the intervals between the inhaling airflows according to the notification of the detected inhaling airflow, thus the user is determined to use the electronic cigarette 1 or not.

[0060] In the step S26, when the interval of the step S25 arrives the preset threshold value, the user is determined to stop using the electronic cigarette 1, thus the atomizer 13 is controlled to stop operating.

[0061] In the illustrated embodiment, the electronic cigarette 1 determines whether the user is using the electronic cigarette 1 or not via the interval time between the detected inhaling airflows. If the user is determined to stop using the electronic cigarette 1, the electronic cigarette 1 controls the atomizer 13 to stop operating. Therefore, the loss of the electronic cigarette 1 is reduced.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 8, the present disclosure provides an electronic cigarette control method of an eight embodiment. In the illustrated embodiment, the electronic cigarette control method includes following steps:

[0063] In step S31, the terminal 2 receives a verification information input by a user, and determines whether the user is verified or not according to the verification information.

[0064] In step S32, if the user is verified, the terminal 2 sends a startup instruction to the electronic cigarette 1. After the terminal 2 sends the startup instruction to the electronic cigarette 1, the terminal 2 outputs an indicator message indicating the verification result of the user; or the terminal 2 sends an inform instruction corresponding the verification result of the user to the electronic cigarette 1, and the electronic cigarette 1 outputs the indicator message accordingly. The verification result includes validation or non-validation.

[0065] In step S33, the electronic cigarette receives the startup instruction, and the instruction acts as a necessary condition to control the atomizer 13 of the electronic cigarette 1 to start operating. Specifically, the atomizer 13 is triggered to start operating according to the startup instruction; or the startup instruction activates the function of the control switch 17 to trigger the atomizer 13 to start operating according to the user selection.

[0066] The operation processes of the electronic cigarette 1 and the terminal 2 can refer to the electronic cigarette control method of the first embodiment to the seventh embodiment.

[0067] Referring to FIG. 9, the present disclosure provides an electronic cigarette control apparatus 10 of a first embodiment. In the illustrated embodiment, the electronic cigarette control apparatus 10 operates in the terminal 2. The electronic cigarette control apparatus includes an input module 101, a verification module 102, a sending module 103, an indicator module 104, and a timing module 105.

[0068] The input module 101 is configured to receive a verification information input by a user.

[0069] The verification module 102 determines whether the user is verified or not verified according to the verification information. Specifically, the verification module 102 is configured to determine whether the verification information matches a preset user information or not. If the verification information matches the preset user information, the user is verified.

[0070] The sending module 103 is configured to send a startup instruction to a terminal 2 in communication with an electronic cigarette 1 when the user is verified. The startup instruction is required for an atomizer 13 of the electronic cigarette 1 to start operating. Specifically, the startup instruction is configured to trigger the atomizer 13 to start operating; or configured to activate the function of a control switch 17 of the electronic cigarette 1 to trigger the atomizer 13 to start operating according to the user's operation.

[0071] The indicator module 104 is configured to output an indicator message indication a verification result of the user; or configured to send an inform instruction to the electronic cigarette 1 to trigger the electronic cigarette 1 to output an indicator message accordingly. The verification result includes validation or non-validation.

[0072] The timing module 105 is configured to receive airflow signals. The airflow signals are detected by the electronic cigarette 1 when the user is inhaling, and the timing module 105 is configured to time the intervals between the airflow signals.

[0073] When a timing time arrives a preset threshold value, the sending module 103 is configured to send a stop instruction to the electronic cigarette 1 to trigger the atomizer 13 stop operating.

[0074] Each of these modules refers to a computer program or program segment that performs one or more specific functions. In addition, the distinction between these modules does not mean that the actual program code must be separate.

[0075] The specific operating process of the above modules can refer to the electronic cigarette control method of the first embodiment to the fourth embodiment.

[0076] Referring to FIG. 10, the present disclosure provides an electronic cigarette control apparatus 20 of a second embodiment. In the illustrated embodiment, the electronic cigarette control apparatus 20 operates in the electronic cigarette 1. The electronic cigarette control apparatus 20 includes a receiving module 201, a control module 202, an output module 203, a first detecting module 204, and a second detecting module 205.

[0077] The receiving module 201 is configured to receive a startup instruction sent by a terminal 2. The terminal 2 is in communication with the electronic cigarette 1. The startup instruction is sent by the terminal 2 when the user is verified.

[0078] The control module 202 is configured to control an atomizer 13 of the electronic cigarette 1 to start operating with the startup instruction acting as a necessary condition; or configured to activate the function of a control switch 17 with the startup instruction to trigger the atomizer 13 to start operating according to the user selection.

[0079] The output module 203 is configured to receive an inform instruction sent by the terminal 2 corresponding to a verification result of the user, and output an indicator message accordingly. The verification result includes validation or non-validation.

[0080] The first detecting module 204 is configured to send airflow signals to the terminal 2 when the first detecting module 204 detects inhaling airflows of the user, and configured to receive a stop instruction sent by the terminal 2 and control the atomizer 13 to stop operating. The second detecting module 205 is configured to detect inhaling airflows of the user, and time the intervals between the detected inhaling airflows. When an interval arrives a preset threshold value, the second detecting module 205 controls the atomizer 13 to stop operating.

[0081] The specific operating process of the above modules can refer to the electronic cigarette control method of the fifth embodiment to the seventh embodiment.

[0082] An embodiment of a terminal of the present disclosure. The terminal includes a transceiver and a controller.

[0083] The transceiver is configured to receive a verification information input by a user.

[0084] The controller is configured to determine whether the user is verified or not verified according to the verification information.

[0085] When the user is verified, the transceiver is configured to send a startup instruction to an electronic cigarette in communication with the terminal. The startup instruction acts a necessary condition to control the atomizer of the electronic cigarette to start operating.

[0086] Preferably, the controller is further configured to determine whether the verification information matches a preset user information or not. If the verification information matches the user information, the user is verified.

[0087] Preferably, after the step of determining whether the user is verified or not, the controller is further configured to output an indicator message indicating a verification result of the user; or control the transceiver to send an inform instruction to the electronic cigarette to trigger the electronic cigarette output the indicator message accordingly.

[0088] The verification result comprises validation or non-validation.

[0089] Preferably, after the transceiver sending the startup instruction to the electronic cigarette in communication with the terminal, the transceiver is further configured to receive airflow signals in real time, and time intervals between the airflow signals. The interval is the time of receiving every two airflow signals.

[0090] When an interval arrives a preset threshold value, the transceiver is configured to send a stop instruction to the electronic cigarette to trigger the atomizer of the electronic cigarette to stop operating.

[0091] Preferably, after the transceiver sending the startup instruction to the electronic cigarette, the controller is configured to output an indicator message indicating a verification result of the user; or control the transceiver to send an inform instruction for the verification result to the electronic cigarette. The verification result comprises validation or non-validation.

[0092] The present disclosure provides an electronic cigarette 1 of an embodiment. The electronic cigarette 1 includes a signal transceiver 11, an airflow sensor 12, an atomizer 13, a control unit 14, and a reminding device 15.

[0093] The signal transceiver 11 is configured to connect with a terminal 2, and receive a startup instruction sent by the terminal 2. When a user is verified, the terminal 2 sends the startup instruction. The signal transceiver 11 is in communication with the terminal 2 in a wired or wireless connection.

[0094] The control unit 14 is electrically connected with the signal transceiver, and configured to control the atomizer 13 to start operating with the startup instruction acting as a necessary condition. When the airflow sensor 12 detects an inhaling signal of the user, the control unit 14 sends an airflow signal to the terminal 2. When the control unit 14 receives a stop instruction, the control unit 14 controls the atomizer 13 to stop operating. The control unit 14 is further configured to time the intervals between the detected inhaling airflows of the user. When an interval arrives a preset threshold value, the control unit 14 controls the atomizer 13 to stop operating.

[0095] The reminding device 15 is electrically connected with the signal transceiver 11. When the signal transceiver 11 receives an inform instruction sent by the terminal 2 corresponding a verification result of the user, the reminding device 15 is configured to output an indicator message accordingly. The verification result includes validation or non-validation. The reminding device 15 may include at least one of voice prompting unit, displaying screen unit, prompting light unit, and vibration prompting unit. The indicator message is output as voice, or picture, or light, or vibration.

[0096] Referring to FIG. 11, the present disclosure provides an electronic cigarette control system 100 of an embodiment. The electronic cigarette control system 100 includes at least one electronic cigarette 1 of the previous embodiment, and at least one terminal 2 of the electronic cigarette control apparatus 10 of a previous embodiment.

[0097] The specific operating process of the electronic cigarette 1 and the terminal 2 of the electronic cigarette control system 100 can refer to the electronic cigarette control method of the eighth embodiment.

[0098] A computer readable storage medium is included in the device. The computer readable storage medium stores computer executable instructions. The computer readable storage medium is nonvolatile storage, such as compact disc, hard disk, or flash memory. The computer executable instructions are configured to let a computer or a similar computing device achieve the steps of the electronic cigarette control method above mentioned.

[0099] It is to be understood, even though information and advantages of the present embodiments have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structures and functions of the present embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only; changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the present embodiments to the full extent indicated by the plain meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.

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