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 Number | 20180213849 15/937887 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55330423 |
Filed Date | 2018-08-02 |
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
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
PCT/CN2016/098504 |
Sep 9, 2016 |
|
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15937887 |
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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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