Electronic vapor provision device

An electronic vapor provision device comprising a body (4) configured to be releasably connectable to a vaporizer (10). The body (4) comprises a power cell (20), a computer processor (18), a memory (22) and an audio signalling device (16). The memory (22) stores information on a first user notification event comprising connection of the vaporizer. Moreover, the computer processor (18) is configured to identify when the first user notification event occurs and to notify a user of the event by emitting a user (10) notification sound from the audio signalling device (16).

CLAIM FOR PRIORITY

This application is the National Stage of International Application No. PCT/EP2013/059949, filed May 14, 2013, which in turn claims priority to and benefit of British Patent Application No. GB1208351.5, filed May 14, 2012. The entire contents of the aforementioned applications are herein expressly incorporated by reference.

FIELD

The specification relates to electronic vapour provision devices. More particularly, but not exclusively, the specification concerns electronic vapour provision devices such as electronic cigarettes.

BACKGROUND

Electronic vapour provision devices are typically cigarette-sized and function by allowing a user to inhale a nicotine vapour from a liquid store by applying a suction force to a mouthpiece. Some electronic vapour provision devices have a light at the end which glows when the cigarette is in use to replicate the glowing tip of a cigarette. Electronic vapour provision devices include electronic cigarettes.

SUMMARY

In an embodiment there is provided an electronic vapour provision device comprising body configured to be releasably connectable to a vaporiser, wherein the body comprises a power cell, a computer processor, a memory and an audio signalling device; wherein the memory stores information on a first user notification event comprising connection of the vaporiser; the computer processor is configured to identify when the first user notification event occurs and to notify a user of the event by emitting a user notification sound from the audio signalling device.

The electronic vapour provision device may comprise a sensor configured to detect and signal to the processor when the vaporiser is connected to the body.

The memory may store information on one or more further user notification events and the processor may be configured to identify when each of the one or more events occurs and to notify the user of the event by emitting a user notification sound from the audio signalling device.

A stored user notification event may comprise the power cell charge falling below a lower threshold charge. Advantageously, the user is aware the device is low on power so can take actions such as recharging the device before leaving the home.

A stored user notification event may comprise the power cell charge rising above an upper threshold charge. Advantageously, the user is aware the device is charged and can start using the device again.

A stored user notification event can comprise the power cell being connected to a charging source. Advantageously, the user is aware the device has been connected correctly to a charging source and is charging.

A stored user notification event may comprise the power cell being disconnected from a charging source. Advantageously, the user is aware the device has been disconnected correctly form a charging source and is no longer charging.

A stored user notification event may comprise a fault in the electronic vapour provision device. Advantageously, the user is aware of a fault and can stop using the device and ascertain the type of fault.

Each user notification event may have a corresponding user notification sound.

By using different notification sounds, a user is able to distinguish between different notification events. A sound alert has the advantage that it can be short and memorable and different sounds are readily distinguishable. Short sounds are catchy and can stay in the mind so information can be imparted quickly and stay with the user to enable them to make use of the information.

Each user notification sound comprises a sequence of one or more beeps.

Moreover, different notification sounds may be distinguished from one another by one or more of the following characteristics: the number of beeps in a sequence, the frequency of each beep in a sequence, the duration of each beep in a sequence and the duration between beeps in a sequence.

Simple sounds are quicker to transmit and easier for a user to distinguish between and recall. A user can readily differentiate between sounds having different numbers of beeps, different frequencies and tones of beeps, distinct beep durations and distinct time gaps between beeps. Any given sound will be readily retained in the user's mind allowing them to decode the beep.

Each user notification sound can be configured to provide information to a user and allow a user to determine information about the corresponding user notification event. Moreover, the electronic vapour provision device may further comprise decode instructions. Furthermore, the decode instructions can comprise information on the meaning of a given notification sound.

When a user is notified of an event they are able to hear the notification sound and later recall this sound to decode the meaning of the sound.

The number of beeps of a notification sound may be substantially related to the severity of the user notification event such that more severe events have more beeps and less severe events have fewer beeps.

In another embodiment there is provided a device of the previous embodiment including the vaporiser connected thereto.

In another embodiment there is provided a method of an electronic vapour provision device of notifying a user of the device of an occurrence of a first user notification event, wherein the electronic vapour provision device comprises a body configured to be releasably connectable to a vaporiser; the body comprises a power cell, a computer processor, a memory and an audio signalling device; and the first user notification event comprises connection of the vaporiser; the method comprising initially storing in the memory information on a first user notification event; in response to the processor identifying when the first user notification event occurs, emitting a user notification sound from the audio signalling device.

In another embodiment there is provided an electronic smoking device comprising a power cell, a computer processor and an audio signaling device; wherein the computer processor is configured in use to identify when a predetermined user notification event occurs and notify a user of the event by playing a predetermined user notification sound on the audio signaling device, where the identified user notification event is selected from a stored notification event.

As used herein, the term vapour includes an aerosol and other fluid streams for provision to a user by the electronic vapour provision device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1andFIG. 2show an electronic vapour provision device in the form of a cigarette-shaped electronic cigarette. The electronic vapour provision device, also described herein as an electronic smoking device, comprises a mouthpiece2and a body4.

The mouthpiece2can be removed and reattached to the body. In other words, the mouthpiece2and the body4are releasably connectable to one and other. The body4and the mouthpiece2are both cylindrical in shape, and are configured such that they connect coaxially, so as to form the conventional cigarette shape. The mouthpiece2comprises an air outlet6at a first end and is configured to coaxially connect to the body4at its second end.

The body4comprises a battery assembly14. The battery assembly14comprises an audio signaling device16, computer processor18, power cell20and memory22. The battery assembly14further comprises a sensor arrangement24configured to detect at least connection of the vaporiser10to the body4, resulting from connection of the mouthpiece2to the body4. An example of such a sensor arrangement24is later described with reference toFIGS. 5 and 6.

The audio signaling device16and computer processor18are contained on a circuit board26. The power cell20provides power to the electrical components of the device. The power cell20is therefore configured to provide power to the circuit board26, and therein the audio signalling device16, processor18and the memory22. Moreover, the device is configured such that connection of the mouthpiece2and the body4establishes an electrical connection between the vaporiser10and the battery assembly14such that the vaporiser10can be powered by the power cell20. For example, the configuration of the mouthpiece2and body4to be releasably connectable may comprise mutual screw thread connectors of the mouthpiece2and the body4. Moreover, the mutual screw threads may provide an electrical contact between the mouthpiece2and the battery assembly14.

The processor18is configured to interface with and control the power cell20, memory22and audio signalling device16. Moreover, the processor18may be configured such that, when the vaporiser10is connected to the battery assembly14, it interfaces with and controls the vaporiser10.

The herein described configuration of the processor18comprises the processor accessing and operating according to a computer program stored in the memory22.

The electronic cigarette is configured such that, when the mouthpiece2is connected to the body4, a user sucking on the mouthpiece2at the air outlet6causes a reduction in an air pressure inside the electronic cigarette. Moreover, the device is configured such that a reduced pressure inside the electronic cigarette causes the power cell20to provide power to the vaporiser10which in turn vaporises the nicotine liquid solution. The provided vapour then passes to the user. For instance, the air pressure changes resulting from a user sucking on the mouthpiece may comprise a pressure change at the battery assembly. Furthermore, the battery assembly14may comprise an air pressure sensor configured to detect changes in the air pressure at the battery assembly14and to provide information on pressure changes to the processor18. The air pressure sensor is referenced42inFIGS. 6 and 7. Moreover, the processor18may be configured to respond to information from the air pressure sensor indicating that a user is sucking on the mouthpiece2by controlling the power cell20to provide power to the vaporiser10. The electronic cigarette is configured such that the resultant vapour is provided through the air outlet6.

The memory22contains user notification event data. The user notification events are events relating to states of the electronic device. The electronic cigarette is configured such that the processor18can determine when the electronic cigarette enters a particular state. The processor18is configured to then determine whether a determined state corresponds to one of the stored user notification events. Moreover, the processor18is configured to control the audio signalling device16to emit a sound if a determined state is found to correspond to one of the stored user notification events. The sound that is played is selected by the computer processor18and is a predetermined sound corresponding to the particular user notification event. For example, information defining the sound may be stored on the memory22. Moreover, the stored data on each user notification event may comprise the information defining the sound corresponding to that event.

When a user hears the sound, the user is able to determine the meaning of the sound, for example by referring to instructions that explain the sounds and their meanings.

User notification occurs when the vaporiser10is connected to the battery assembly14. The electronic cigarette being configured such that the processor18can determine when the electronic cigarette enters a particular state comprises the detection of the state of the vaporiser10being connected to the body4. Moreover, user notification event data of the memory22comprises data on the user notification event of the vaporiser10being connected to the body4.

When the vaporiser10is connected to the body4, as a result of the mouthpiece2being connected to the body4, this is detected by the sensor arrangement24. The sensor arrangement24provides information to the processor18indicating that the vaporiser10is connected. The processor18determines from this provided information that the cigarette has entered the state of the vaporiser10being connected to the body4. Furthermore, the processor18then determines that this state corresponds to the stored user notification event of vaporiser10connection. The processor18therefore selects a sound corresponding to the notification event and controls the audio signalling device to emit this sound. For example, the sound corresponding to this event may be a single beep. The user is able to hear the sound, interpret the event and understand that the vaporiser10is successfully connected.

Further user notifications will now be described.

When the charge in the power cell20falls below a lower reference charge, the computer processor18may detect this state. For example, the sensor arrangement24may comprise a device for determining the charge of the power cell20and may provide information to the processor accordingly. Moreover, the processor18may determine that this state corresponds to a stored user notification event and may notify the user by playing three beeps of equal tone on the audio signalling device16. The user is able to hear the sound, interpret the event and take action to charge the device.

The device may be configured such that it can be connected to an external power (not shown) source for charging of the power cell20. Moreover, the device may be configured such that the processor18can determine when the device is connected to the external power source. For example, the sensor arrangement24may be configured to detect when the device is connected to the external power source and to provide this information to the processor18. Furthermore, connection to the external power source may be one of the user notification events. Consequently, if the user takes action by connecting the electronic cigarette to the power source for charging, the processor may determine that this state corresponds to a stored user notification event and may notify the user by playing for example two beeps of increasing pitch on the audio signalling device16. The user is able to hear the sound, interpret the event and understand that the device is charging.

Moreover, when the electronic cigarette is being charged, as described above, and the charge in the power cell20reaches or exceeds an upper threshold reference charge, or the device is disconnected from a power source, the computer processor18detect this. For example, the sensor arrangement24may be configured to detect this and to provide information to the processor indicating this. The processor18may then determine that this is a stored user notification event and may notify the user by playing for example two beeps of decreasing pitch on the audio signalling device16. The user is able to hear the sound, interpret the event and understand that the device is charged or has been separated from power.

The computer processor18may be configured to determine when there is a fault with the electronic cigarette. For example, the computer processor18may determine that the device is not operating correctly or the sensor arrangement24may for example be configured to detect mechanical or electrical faults in the device. The processor may then determine that a detected fault state corresponds to a stored user notification event and may notify the user by playing for example four beeps, each of decreasing pitch. The user is able to hear the sound, interpret the event and cease use of the faulty device.

FIG. 3andFIG. 4show an electronic vapour provision device similar to that described with reference toFIG. 1andFIG. 2. However, the mouthpiece2no longer comprises the vaporiser10. Instead, electronic cigarette has three separate and releasably connectable parts, the mouthpiece2, vaporiser10and body4. The vaporiser10is configured to separately connect to the mouthpiece2and the body4, such that when connected it is located between the mouthpiece2and the body4and there provides a longitudinal section of the cylindrical outer surface of the cigarette shape. The mouthpiece2contains the liquid store8and attaches to the vaporiser10. The vaporiser10has a wick28which comes into contact with the liquid in the liquid store8when connected to transfer the liquid onto the vaporiser10.

Similar to the cigarette ofFIGS. 1 and 2, the sensor arrangement24of the battery assembly is configured to sense when the vaporiser10is connected to the body and to provide information indicating this to the processor18.

The configuration of the device to notify a user of user notification events, such as the connection of the vaporiser10to the body4, is as described with reference to the cigarette ofFIGS. 1 and 2.

FIGS. 5 to 7show the electronic vapour provision device ofFIGS. 3 and 4wherein an example of an aspect of the sensor arrangement24is illustrated.

The sensor arrangement24comprises first and second battery assembly connection terminals3032of the battery assembly14, and first and second vaporiser connection terminals3436of the vaporiser. The sensor arrangement24further comprises capacitor38of the battery assembly, connected in parallel with the first and second battery assembly connection terminals3032. Moreover, the sensor arrangement24comprises a digital multimeter40of the battery assembly14, wired in a switched parallel circuit to the capacitor38.

The vaporiser terminals3436are electrically connected in parallel to the vaporiser10. Moreover, the sensor arrangement24is configured such that when the vaporiser10is connected to the battery assembly14, the first battery assembly connection terminal30is connected to the first vaporiser connection terminal34and the second battery assembly connection terminal32is connected to the second vaporiser connection terminal36, and an electrically conductive contact is formed in both cases.

The processor18is configured to use the sensor arrangement24to determine whether the vaporiser10is connected to the battery assembly14as follows. The processor18first controls the power cell10to charge the capacitor38, then waits a short time and checks the charge of the capacitor38. In order to check the charge of the capacitor38, the processor18triggers the completion of the switched digital multimeter circuit and then receives information from the multimeter40indicating a voltage across the capacitor38resulting from the charge of the capacitor38. If the vaporiser10is connected, the resistance of the vaporiser10causes the capacitor38to discharge quickly so the processor18measures at least a substantially fully discharged capacitor38. If the vaporiser10is not connected the capacitor38is not substantially fully discharged when checked by the processor18.

With regard to the embodiments described herein, the following alternatives and variations will now be described.

The computer processor18could be a microprocessor or a microcontroller.

The device is not restricted to being cigarette shaped.

The sensor arrangement24may take other forms to that described. For example, the sensor arrangement24may comprise only one sensor, for instance a pressure sensor configured to detect a mechanical pressure resulting from connection of the vaporiser to the body.

The computer processor18and audio signalling device and not restricted to being on the same circuit board.

A user notification sound may be configured to be memorable by a user. Moreover, each user notification sound may be short for ease of recollection by a user.

If a notification comprises a sequence of beeps, the sequence may be configured to be clear and easy to remember by a user. For example, a notification sound may comprise two beeps of equal pitch. Furthermore, a notification sound may comprise two beeps where the second beep has a higher pitch than the first beep. Moreover, a notification sound may instead comprise two beeps where the second beep has a lower pitch that the first beep.

A notification sound may comprise a single beep.

The audio signalling device16may for example comprise a buzzer or a speaker.

The air pressure sensor may form part of the sensor arrangement.

In order to address various issues and advance the art, the entirety of this disclosure shows by way of illustration various embodiments in which the claimed invention(s) may be practiced and provide for superior electronic vapour provision devices. The advantages and features of the disclosure are of a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. They are presented only to assist in understanding and teach the claimed features. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects of the disclosure are not to be considered limitations on the disclosure as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilised and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and/or spirit of the disclosure. Various embodiments may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc. In addition, the disclosure includes other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future. Any feature of any embodiment can be used independently of, or in combination with, any other feature.