Patent Description:
Electronic cigarettes, also known as e-cigarette (eCigs) and personal vaporizers (PVs), are electronic inhalers that vaporize or atomize a liquid solution into an aerosol mist that may then be delivered to a user. A typical eCig has two main parts - a power supply portion and a cartomizer (also referred to as an atomizer/liquid reservoir portion). The power supply portion typically includes a rechargeable lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery, a light emitting diode (LED), and a pressure sensor. The cartomizer typically includes a liquid solution, an atomizer and a mouthpiece. The atomizer typically includes a heating coil that vaporizes the liquid solution.

Some prior art e-cigarettes with a light guide are known, for example, from the documents <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>. The document <CIT>, for example, discloses an electronic cigarette which comprises: a conduit extending from a proximal end to a distal end and covering all internal components of the electronic cigarette; a light source; an integrated circuit coupled to the light source; and a sensor; wherein the light source is configured to emit light in response to inhalation of the electronic cigarette, the inhalation being detected by the sensor; and wherein the light source is disposed within the conduit, and at least a portion of the conduit is translucent to allow light from the light source to pass through the conduit. In an embodiment, the electronic cigarette further comprises a housing including a shaft for insertion into the distal end of the conduit. The shaft has an inside diameter larger than the outside diameter of the integrated circuit so that the integrated circuit may be held securely within the shaft and so that light may be diffused around the integrated circuit and through the portion of the shaft that surrounds the integrated circuit. The shaft also defines a notch to accommodate for any wires coupling the integrated circuit to the battery of the electronic cigarette. By positioning the wires within the notch, the housing and the wires may rest flush against the inner surface of the conduit at the distal end of the electronic cigarette when the shaft of the housing is inserted into the conduit.

The present invention provides an electronic cigarette as defined in claim <NUM>.

Embodiments of the circumferential light guide according to the present disclosure are presented by means of examples of an electronic cigarette (eCig). The eCig includes a circumferential light guide according to the present disclosure that seeks to evenly distribute light transmitted by a light source, and controller circuity that illuminates the circumferential light guide of the electronic cigarette based on a user's draw strength.

Examples of an electronic cigarette include a sensor, controller circuitry, and a light source. The sensor is configured for determining a user draw characteristic, and transmitting a draw signal indicative of the determined user draw characteristic. The controller circuitry is communicatively coupled to the sensor, and receives the draw signal from which it determines a light intensity signal transmission. The light source is communicatively coupled to the controller circuitry, and receives the light intensity signal from the sensor - thereafter emitting an intensity of light corresponding to the received light intensity signal. In some embodiments, the user draw characteristic comprises a magnitude of a user draw on the electronic cigarette. In more specific examples, the sensor comprises a mass airflow sensor, wherein the user draw characteristic corresponds to a mass of air moving through the electronic cigarette during the user draw.

Various examples in the present disclosure are directed to an electronic cigarette including a sensor, a light source, and controller circuitry. The sensor determines a magnitude of a draw characteristic, and transmits a signal indicative of the determined magnitude of the draw characteristic. The light source emits a varying intensity of light in response to an input signal. The controller circuitry is communicatively coupled to the sensor and the light source, and the controller circuitry receives, from the sensor, the signal indicative of a draw characteristic. In response to receiving the signal indicative of the determined magnitude of the draw characteristic, the controller circuitry associates the determined magnitude of the draw characteristic with an intensity of the light source, and generates the input signal to the light source based on the light intensity associated with the determined magnitude of the draw characteristic. In some examples, the sensor is a mass airflow sensor that determines a mass flowrate of the draw.

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a circumferential light guide comprising: a partial circumferential feature; opposing longitudinally-extending slot walls on either side of the partial circumferential feature, the opposing longitudinally-extending slot walls configured and arranged to receive and direct light into the partial circumferential feature; a circuit board receiving slot between the longitudinally-extending slot walls; and an outer surface including variable surface texture, the variable surface texture configured and arranged to distribute light, entering the partial circumferential feature from the opposing longitudinally-extending slot walls, along the outer surface of the circumferential light guide.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a circumferential light guide apparatus including a partial circumferential feature, opposing distal ends on either side of the partial circumferential feature, an aperture between the distal ends, and an outer surface. The opposing distal ends receive and direct light into the partial circumferential feature. In response to receiving light, the outer surface including variable surface texture distributes the directed light along the outer surface of the circumferential light guide. In some embodiments, the circumferential light guide apparatus further includes an electronic circuit board positioned within the aperture. The electronic circuit board including at least one light source substantially directed toward at least one of the opposing distal ends.

Additional features, advantages, and embodiments of the disclosure may be set forth or apparent from consideration of the detailed description and drawings. Moreover, it is to be understood that the foregoing summary of the disclosure and the following detailed description and drawings are exemplary and intended to provide further explanation without limiting the scope of the disclosure.

Various example embodiments may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description in connection with the accompanying drawings.

On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure.

The disclosure and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments and examples that are described and/or illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following.

Throughout the following, an electronic smoking device will be exemplarily described with reference to an e-cigarette. As is shown in <FIG>, an e-cigarette <NUM> typically has a housing comprising a cylindrical hollow tube having an end cap <NUM>. The cylindrical hollow tube may be a single-piece or a multiple-piece tube. In <FIG>, the cylindrical hollow tube is shown as a two-piece structure having a power supply portion <NUM> and an atomizer/liquid reservoir portion <NUM>. Together the power supply portion <NUM> and the atomizer/liquid reservoir portion <NUM> form a cylindrical tube which can be approximately the same size and shape as a conventional cigarette, typically about <NUM> with a <NUM> diameter, although lengths may range from <NUM> to <NUM> or <NUM>, and diameters from <NUM> to <NUM>.

The power supply portion <NUM> and atomizer/liquid reservoir portion <NUM> are typically made of metal (e.g., steel or aluminum, or of hardwearing plastic) and act together with the end cap <NUM> to provide a housing to contain the components of the e-cigarette <NUM>. The power supply portion <NUM> and the atomizer/liquid reservoir portion <NUM> may be configured to fit together by, for example, a friction push fit, a snap fit, a bayonet attachment, a magnetic fit, or screw threads. The end cap <NUM> is provided at the front end of the power supply portion <NUM>. The end cap <NUM> may be made from translucent plastic or other translucent material to allow a light emitting diode (LED) <NUM> positioned near the end cap to emit light through the end cap. Alternatively, the end cap may be made of metal or other materials that do not allow light to pass.

An air inlet may be provided in the end cap, at the edge of the inlet next to the cylindrical hollow tube, anywhere along the length of the cylindrical hollow tube, or at the connection of the power supply portion <NUM> and the atomizer/liquid reservoir portion <NUM>. <FIG> shows a pair of air inlets <NUM> provided at the intersection between the power supply portion <NUM> and the atomizer/liquid reservoir portion <NUM>.

A power supply, preferably a battery <NUM>, the LED <NUM>, control electronics <NUM> and, optionally, an airflow sensor <NUM> are provided within the cylindrical hollow tube power supply portion <NUM>. The battery <NUM> is electrically connected to the control electronics <NUM>, which are electrically connected to the LED <NUM> and the airflow sensor <NUM>. In this example, the LED <NUM> is at the front end of the power supply portion <NUM>, adjacent to the end cap <NUM>; and the control electronics <NUM> and airflow sensor <NUM> are provided in the central cavity at the other end of the battery <NUM> adjacent the atomizer/liquid reservoir portion <NUM>.

The airflow sensor <NUM> acts as a puff detector, detecting a user puffing or sucking on the atomizer/liquid reservoir portion <NUM> of the e-cigarette <NUM>. The airflow sensor <NUM> can be any suitable sensor for detecting changes in airflow or air pressure, such as a microphone switch including a deformable membrane which is caused to move by variations in air pressure. Alternatively, the sensor may be, for example, a Hall element or an electro-mechanical sensor.

The control electronics <NUM> are also connected to an atomizer <NUM>. In the example shown, the atomizer <NUM> includes a heating coil <NUM> which is wrapped around a wick <NUM> extending across a central passage <NUM> of the atomizer/liquid reservoir portion <NUM>. The central passage <NUM> may, for example, be defined by one or more walls of the liquid reservoir and/or one or more walls of the atomizer/liquid reservoir portion <NUM> of the e-cigarette <NUM>. The coil <NUM> may be positioned anywhere in the atomizer <NUM> and may be transverse or parallel to a longitudinal axis of a cylindrical liquid reservoir <NUM>. The wick <NUM> and heating coil <NUM> do not completely block the central passage <NUM>. Rather an air gap is provided on either side of the heating coil <NUM> enabling air to flow past the heating coil <NUM> and the wick <NUM>. The atomizer may alternatively use other forms of heating elements, such as ceramic heaters, or fiber or mesh material heaters. Nonresistance heating elements such as sonic, piezo, and jet spray may also be used in the atomizer in place of the heating coil.

The central passage <NUM> is surrounded by the cylindrical liquid reservoir <NUM> with the ends of the wick <NUM> abutting or extending into the liquid reservoir <NUM>. The wick <NUM> may be a porous material such as a bundle of fiberglass fibers or cotton or bamboo yarn, with liquid in the liquid reservoir <NUM> drawn by capillary action from the ends of the wick <NUM> towards the central portion of the wick <NUM> encircled by the heating coil <NUM>.

The liquid reservoir <NUM> may alternatively include wadding (not shown in <FIG>) soaked in liquid which encircles the central passage <NUM> with the ends of the wick <NUM> abutting the wadding. In other embodiments, the liquid reservoir may comprise a toroidal cavity arranged to be filled with liquid and with the ends of the wick <NUM> extending into the toroidal cavity.

An air inhalation port <NUM> is provided at the back end of the atomizer/liquid reservoir portion <NUM> remote from the end cap <NUM>. The inhalation port <NUM> may be formed from the cylindrical hollow tube atomizer/liquid reservoir portion <NUM> or may be formed in an end cap.

In use, a user sucks on the e-cigarette <NUM>. This causes air to be drawn into the e-cigarette <NUM> via one or more air inlets, such as air inlets <NUM>, and to be drawn through the central passage <NUM> towards the air inhalation port <NUM>. The change in air pressure which arises is detected by the airflow sensor <NUM>, which generates an electrical signal that is passed to the control electronics <NUM>. In response to the signal, the control electronics <NUM> activate the heating coil <NUM>, which causes liquid present in the wick <NUM> to be vaporized creating an aerosol (which may comprise gaseous and liquid components) within the central passage <NUM>. As the user continues to suck on the e-cigarette <NUM>, this aerosol is drawn through the central passage <NUM> and inhaled by the user. At the same time, the control electronics <NUM> also activate the LED <NUM> causing the LED <NUM> to light up, which is visible via the translucent end cap <NUM>. Activation of the LED may mimic the appearance of a glowing ember at the end of a conventional cigarette. As liquid present in the wick <NUM> is converted into an aerosol, more liquid is drawn into the wick <NUM> from the liquid reservoir <NUM> by capillary action and thus is available to be converted into an aerosol through subsequent activation of the heating coil <NUM>.

Some e-cigarette are intended to be disposable and the electric power in the battery <NUM> is intended to be sufficient to vaporize the liquid contained within the liquid reservoir <NUM>, after which the e-cigarette <NUM> is thrown away. In other embodiments, the battery <NUM> is rechargeable and the liquid reservoir <NUM> is refillable. In the cases where the liquid reservoir <NUM> is a toroidal cavity, this may be achieved by refilling the liquid reservoir <NUM> via a refill port (not shown in <FIG>). In other embodiments, the atomizer/liquid reservoir portion <NUM> of the e-cigarette <NUM> is detachable from the power supply portion <NUM> and a new atomizer/liquid reservoir portion <NUM> can be fitted with a new liquid reservoir <NUM> thereby replenishing the supply of liquid. In some cases, replacing the liquid reservoir <NUM> may involve replacement of the heating coil <NUM> and the wick <NUM> along with the replacement of the liquid reservoir <NUM>. A replaceable unit comprising the atomizer <NUM> and the liquid reservoir <NUM> may be referred to as a cartomizer.

The new liquid reservoir may be in the form of a cartridge (not shown in <FIG>) defining a passage (or multiple passages) through which a user inhales aerosol. In other embodiments, the aerosol may flow around the exterior of the cartridge to the air inhalation port <NUM>.

Of course, in addition to the above description of the structure and function of a typical e-cigarette <NUM>, variations also exist. For example, the LED <NUM> may be omitted. The airflow sensor <NUM> may be placed, for example, adjacent to the end cap <NUM> rather than in the middle of the e-cigarette. The airflow sensor <NUM> may be replaced by, or supplemented with, a switch which enables a user to activate the e-cigarette manually rather than in response to the detection of a change in airflow or air pressure.

Different types of atomizers may be used. Thus, for example, the atomizer may have a heating coil in a cavity in the interior of a porous body soaked in liquid. In this design, aerosol is generated by evaporating the liquid within the porous body either by activation of the coil heating the porous body or alternatively by the heated air passing over or through the porous body. Alternatively the atomizer may use a piezoelectric atomizer to create an aerosol either in combination or in the absence of a heater.

<FIG> is a partial exploded assembly view of an eCig power supply portion <NUM>, consistent with various aspects of the present disclosure. The power supply portion <NUM> houses a number of electrical components that facilitate the re-charging and re-use of the power supply portion <NUM> with disposable and refillable atomizer/liquid reservoir portions (<NUM> as shown in <FIG>), which are also referred to as cartomizers. A battery <NUM> is electrically coupled to controller circuitry <NUM> on a printed circuit board. A sensor <NUM> for determining one or more characteristics of a user's draw from the eCig is also located on the printed circuit board, and communicatively coupled to the controller circuitry <NUM>. In various embodiments consistent with the present disclosure, the sensor <NUM> may be a mass air-flow sensor, a pressure sensor, a velocity sensor, a heater coil temperature sensor, or any other sensor that may capture relevant draw characteristics (either directly or through indirect correlations). In the present embodiment, the sensor <NUM> is a mass air-flow sensor that determines the flow of air across the sensor <NUM> on the surface of the printed circuit board. The measured flow of air is then drawn through the cartomizer <NUM> and into a user's mouth. By measuring the mass flow rate of air through the power supply portion <NUM>, the controller circuitry <NUM> may adjust a heating profile of a heating coil in a cartomizer (e.g., power, length of time, etc.), as well as provide a variable visual indication of the strength of the draw - by way of LEDs <NUM>A-D which may be independently addressed by the controller circuitry or powered at varying intensities to indicate characteristics of the eCig's functionality. For example, varying the illumination intensity based on the sensed mass air-flow. In further embodiments, the LEDs may also indicate other functional aspects of the eCig, such as remaining battery life, charging, sleep mode, among others. In various embodiments of the present disclosure, a draw characteristic may be the length of a draw, volume of a draw, mass of air moving through the eCig during the draw, velocity of air during the draw, the change over time of one or more of the above draw characteristics, cut-off and/or thresholds associated with one or more of the above draw characteristics, time to peak of a draw characteristic, among others readily measurable characteristics.

In various embodiments of the present disclosure, electrical pins extending from the printed circuit board may be electrically coupled to a cartomizer, and thereby allow for both energy transfer and data communication between the power supply portion <NUM> and cartomizer (not shown). In various other embodiments, pins may extend from a surface of the printed circuit board to an exterior of the power supply portion to facilitate charging and data communication with external circuitry.

To provide user indications of status, power remaining, use, error messages, among other relevant information, a flexible printed circuit board <NUM> is communicatively coupled to controller circuitry <NUM> via wire leads <NUM>A-B. The flexible circuit board <NUM> may include one or more light sources. In the present embodiment, the flexible circuit board <NUM> includes LEDs <NUM>A-E. When assembled into the rest of the power supply portion <NUM>, the light emitting diodes <NUM>A-D both illuminate a circumferential portion of light guide <NUM> and a tip diffuser <NUM> that thereby illuminates a distal end of the light guide <NUM>. The tip diffuser <NUM> and the light guide <NUM> together facilitate even illumination of the distal end of the power supply portion <NUM> in response to the activation of the LEDs <NUM>A-D. In other embodiments, the flexible circuit board <NUM> may not require an LED substantially directed at the tip diffuser <NUM>; for example, where the light guide <NUM> directs light from the LEDs <NUM>A-D through the tip diffuser <NUM> and thereby illuminates the distal end of the light guide.

As shown in <FIG>, once electrically coupled to one another (e.g., by solder), battery <NUM>, flexible printed circuit board <NUM>, and a printed circuit board containing controller circuitry <NUM> and sensor <NUM> are encased by upper sub-assembly housing <NUM> and lower sub-assembly housing <NUM>. The upper and lower sub-assembly housing portions positively locate the various components with the sub-assembly. In many embodiments, upper and lower sub-assembly housing portions utilize locating pins and integral locking features (e.g., snap features) to maintain the sub-assembly after assembly.

Once assembly is complete on the sub-assembly, the sub-assembly may be slid into tube <NUM> from one end and tip diffuser <NUM> and circumferential light guide <NUM> may be inserted from the opposite end of the tube to complete assembly of power supply portion <NUM>. By way of the distal tip of the circumferential light guide <NUM> and translucent portion <NUM> in tube <NUM>, light emitting diodes <NUM>A-D may illuminate evenly around a distal circumferential portion of the tube <NUM>, and a distal tip.

In various embodiments of the present disclosure, translucent portion <NUM> on tube <NUM> may include various different patterns, shapes, images and/or logos. In the present embodiment, the translucent portion <NUM> is a plurality of triangles. The translucent portion <NUM> may be laser etched on to a painted surface of the tube <NUM>, silk screened, drilled or otherwise cut into an outer surface of the tube <NUM>, and/or the tube itself can be (semi-)translucent and the pattern may be disposed on an outer surface of circumferential light guide <NUM>.

<FIG> is an isometric front view of a circumferential light guide <NUM>, consistent with various aspects of the present disclosure. As shown in <FIG>, a circuit board receiving slot <NUM> forms distal ends of the circumferential light guide <NUM>. When assembled, LEDs are located within the circuit board receiving slot <NUM> and faced to illuminate the distal ends of the circumferential light guide, as well as distal outer surface <NUM>. The light then travels from the distal ends of the circumferential portion within the circumferential light guide and evenly diffuses out from outer surface <NUM> in response to a variable surface texture on the outer surface that accounts for the location of the LEDs in the circuit board receiving slot <NUM>, as well as the illumination patterns of each of the LEDs. One exemplary implementation of variable surface texture is shown in relation to <FIG>.

A circuit board including LEDs is inserted into a circuit board receiving slot <NUM> of circumferential light guide <NUM>, which is bound by longitudinally-extending slot walls <NUM>A-B and circumferentially-extending slot wall <NUM>. The slot walls <NUM> and <NUM> receive light from LEDs onboard the circuit board and distributes the light throughout a partial circumferential feature <NUM> and end cap feature <NUM>.

During installation of a circumferential light guide <NUM> into a power supply portion, an alignment grove <NUM> aligns with a corresponding feature on a tube <NUM>, and prevents the circumferential light guide from spinning within the tube. Once the circumferential light guide <NUM> is inserted into the tube <NUM>, a retention tooth <NUM> at a distal end of the circumferential light guide couples to a mating portion on an upper sub-assembly housing <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>); which in conjunction with friction ribs <NUM> which are press fit against the tube <NUM> and light guide positioning ring <NUM> - the circumferential light guide <NUM> is properly located within the tube <NUM> and coupled therein. The light guide positioning ring <NUM> defining a proximal facing annular surface that seats against a distal end of the tube <NUM> in the assembled power supply portion <NUM>.

One or more air inlet channels <NUM> in a distal outer surface <NUM> of an end cap feature <NUM> may provide air inlets to facilitate the flow of air through power supply portion <NUM>; for example, where a user draws on an air inlet <NUM> of the atomizer/liquid reservoir portion <NUM>.

<FIG> is a top view, <FIG> is a side view, and <FIG> is a bottom view of a circumferential light guide <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, consistent with various aspects of the present disclosure. The variable surface texturing of outer surface <NUM> is indicated by gray-scale - with the lighter surface texturing indicated by the lighter shading <NUM>, intermediate surface texturing indicated by the medium shading <NUM>, and the heaviest surface texturing indicated by the darkest shading <NUM>. Accordingly, in areas near an LED where illumination is the greatest, texturing on the outer surface <NUM> is the lowest as additional diffusion is not necessary. However, the farther away and/or off-center from the LED, the less illumination that reaches a given location along the circumferential light guide <NUM> - necessitating additional texturing to improve diffusion of light at that location. By implementing the surface texturing shown in <FIG>, uneven illumination may be compensated for by the surface texture of the light guide to substantially produce even illumination of the light guide around a circumference and length thereof.

<FIG> is an isometric front view of a tip diffuser <NUM>, consistent with various aspects of the present disclosure. As shown in <FIG>, a front surface of the tip diffuser <NUM> is shown including a convex lens <NUM>. The tip diffuser <NUM>, when positioned in front of an LED (or other light source), diffuses the received light to produce an even illumination along a distal outer surface <NUM> of circumferential light guide <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>). In various embodiments, the tip diffuser may include fixation prongs <NUM> extending from an outer circumference thereof that facilitate localization and/or coupling of the tip diffuser <NUM> within the circumferential light guide <NUM> once assembled. Once the tip diffuser <NUM> is mounted within a circumferential light guide <NUM> via the fixation prongs <NUM>, the prongs define a series of flow channels for air that traverses past the air inlets <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>).

<FIG> is an isometric back view of the tip diffuser <NUM> of <FIG>, consistent with various aspects of the present disclosure. The back-side of the tip diffuser <NUM> includes a plurality of light diffusing features <NUM>A-C which together form a pattern. In the present embodiment, the light diffusing features <NUM>A-C are triangular shapes cut into a back surface of the tip diffuser <NUM>. When light (e.g., from a single point source) is transmitted toward a back surface of the tip diffuser <NUM>, the light diffusing features <NUM>A-C diffuse the light traveling through the tip diffuser <NUM> to produce an evenly illuminated front surface of the tip diffuser.

In various other embodiments of the present disclosure, the tip diffuser <NUM> may include various other optical diffusion techniques known to those skilled in the art, including, for example, surface texturing, lensing, and material characteristics or additives to the tip diffuser <NUM> that facilitate internal light diffusion. In some embodiments of the present disclosure the side-walls of the light diffusing features <NUM>A-C are sloped, straight, or rounded to further facilitate diffusion of light through the tip diffuser <NUM>.

The light diffusing features <NUM>A-C of <FIG> may take various shapes, with varying diffusion characteristics. In some embodiments, the light diffusing features <NUM>A-C may be a material additive, such as surface texturing or more defined features. In further embodiments, an array of lensing or other features extending into a back and/or front side of the tip diffuser <NUM> may also be utilized to achieve desired even light illumination across a front surface of the tip diffuser <NUM> from a single point light source.

<FIG> is an cross-sectional side view of the tip diffuser <NUM> of <FIG>, consistent with various aspects of the present disclosure. As shown in <FIG>, the tip diffuser <NUM> forms a bi-convex lens including a convex lens <NUM> on a front surface of the tip diffuser, and another convex lens on a back surface, and a plurality of diffusing features <NUM>A-C extending into a light receiving surface of the tip diffuser <NUM>. The convex lens and the light diffusing features <NUM>A-C on the light receiving surface facilitate consistent illumination of the light transmitting surface. After light travels through the tip diffuser <NUM>, the convex lens <NUM> on the light transmitting surface distributes the light across a wide viewing angle.

In view of the present example embodiments of tip diffusers, a skilled artisan will readily be capable of developing various other tip diffusers that achieve the same goal of even light illumination across a distal surface of an eCig using various other known light lensing techniques, and without undue experimentation.

<FIG> is an isometric front view of a flexible circuit board <NUM>, consistent with various aspects of the present disclosure. As shown in the exploded view of the power supply portion <NUM>, <FIG>, the flexible circuit board <NUM> (also referred to as a flex circuit) once assembled straddles a battery <NUM>, with a portion <NUM> of the flex circuit <NUM> bent at a right angle relative to the rest of the flex circuit, and wire leads <NUM> A-B make another right angle after extending from the flex circuit <NUM> to fully encompass the battery <NUM> and to communicatively couple to controller circuitry <NUM>. LEDs <NUM>A-D may be side-firing LEDs that illuminate opposing distal ends of circumferential light guide <NUM> when the flex circuit <NUM> is positioned within an circuit board receiving slot <NUM> of the light guide <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>). LED <NUM>E on the folded portion of the flex circuit <NUM> may be a top-firing LED which illuminates a tip diffuser <NUM> and a distal outer surface <NUM> of a circumferential light guide (as shown in <FIG>). In various embodiments of the present disclosure, the LEDs <NUM>A-E may be dependently or independently addressable, and may be powered by amplifiers that facilitate variable illumination output of the LEDs.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, flex circuit <NUM> may include various electrical components, besides LEDs <NUM>A-E, such as driver circuitry for the LEDs <NUM> (e.g., operational amplifiers), among other components.

LEDs <NUM>A-E may be utilized to indicate various statuses, modes, and operational characteristics to the user. For example, during operation, the LEDs <NUM>A-E may glow to indicate operation of the eCig (e.g., where the user is taking a draw). In further more specific embodiments, based on an input from a sensor indicative of a user's draw strength, the LEDs <NUM>A-E may fluctuate in intensity dependent on the user's draw strength. The relationship between the sensor output and the LED illumination being either a linear or non-linear relationship. In specific embodiments, this relationship may be controlled by a formula such as a transfer function, and more specifically a logarithmic transfer function. Similarly, in embodiments where the LEDs <NUM>A-E are independently addressable, based on a sensor input to the controller circuitry, the intensity of each LED may be independently varied in order to create a variable smoldering affect similar to a user taking a draw from a traditional cigarette. In one example embodiment, the LED furthest from the distal tip would lightly flicker when idle between user draws. When a user initiates a draw from the eCig, the brightness and the number of LEDs activated during the draw may be varied based on the sensed strength of the draw and vary over the length of the draw, thereby creating an enhanced user experience.

In further embodiments, one or more of the LEDs <NUM>A-E may be multi-color LEDs to facilitate customization of the user experience and/or to further facilitate communication of various states of the eCig such as charging, low battery, operation, sleep mode, among others. As one example embodiment, to indicate battery charging, one or more of the LEDs may ramp up from an off state to full light intensity before ramping back down to an off state, and repeating. When the battery life is low, a heartbeat-type illumination intensity profile may be utilized to indicate low battery life to the user. Similarly, blinks of varying frequency may also be used to indicated messages to the user.

In various implementations of the present disclosure, LEDs may be driven with reduced duty cycles to create the appearance of dimmed lighting.

In specific embodiments of the present disclosure, it can be desirable to maintain a consistent visual appearance to the user throughout a use cycle of a battery. However, as the battery drains over a use cycle, the amount of voltage driving the LEDs is diminished. In such a configuration, the visual appearance (e.g., the brightness) associated with a given visual indication of the eCig changes over the use cycle. To compensate for the battery's varying voltage, controller circuitry <NUM> periodically measures the battery voltage and compensates for the change in voltage from a full charge by varying the duty cycle of the LEDs. Thereby maintaining a consistent illumination of the LEDs over the use cycle of the battery, for a given visual indication.

After an initial draw from a user, after a period of inactivity, controller circuitry <NUM> of the eCig may enter a session mode whereby one or more LEDs <NUM> remain active during a set period of time (e.g., indicative of a typical smoke break, <NUM> minutes). The length of this session may be indicated by the LEDs <NUM>, which can appear to smolder between draws. After the session length is exceeded, the LEDs are deactivated indicating that the session has ended.

<FIG> is a top view of a partially assembled eCig <NUM>, consistent with various aspects of the present disclosure. The partial assembly includes a battery <NUM> and a flex circuit <NUM> at least partially contained within circumferential light guide <NUM>. The flex circuit being further positioned with an circuit board receiving slot <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>) of the light guide <NUM>, and thereby directing side-fire LEDs <NUM>A-D toward opposing distal ends of the circumferential light guide <NUM>. The light, after entering the opposing distal ends of the circumferential light guide <NUM>, travels through the circumferential light guide and is diffused from an outer surface <NUM> of the light guide <NUM> based on the illumination pattern of the LED and the variable texturing applied to the outer surface <NUM>. In embodiments where a consistent illumination along a length and circumference of the light guide is desirable, the illumination pattern of the LED in conjunction with the texturing applied to the outer surface <NUM> of the light guide <NUM> results in the light guide evenly disbursing light around the circumference of the outer surface <NUM>. In yet other embodiments, it may be desirable to achieve uneven illumination of the light pipe or to create patterns, images, shapes, etc. with the light. In such embodiments, based at least in part on the illumination intensity profile, the surface texturing on the outer surface <NUM> of the light guide <NUM> may be varied in such a way as to create such patterns, images, shapes, etc. - by increasing intensity of light distribution at a given location by increasing surface texture, and decreasing intensity of light distribution at a given location by decreasing surface texture.

Wire leads <NUM>A-C are communicatively coupled (e.g., soldered) to solder pads on both the flex circuit <NUM> and controller circuitry <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>), thereby facilitating the transmission of power and communication signals between the controller circuitry and flex circuit <NUM>.

A tip diffuser <NUM> is positioned within a circumference of circumferential light guide <NUM>, and between a flex circuit <NUM> and an end cap feature <NUM>. The tip diffuser <NUM> diffusing light received from a light source on the flex circuit <NUM> and diffuses it on to a distal outer surface <NUM> of the circumferential light guide <NUM>.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional front view of the partially assembled power supply portion <NUM> of <FIG>, consistent with various aspects of the present disclosure. As shown in <FIG>, LEDs <NUM>A-B on flex circuit <NUM> are positioned in the power supply portion <NUM> between distal ends of a circumferential light guide <NUM>. When activated, the LEDs <NUM>A-B direct light into the distal ends of the circumferential light guide <NUM> and the light guide evenly diffuses the light from the light guide out of an outer surface <NUM> thereof. A tube <NUM> around an outer perimeter of the power supply portion <NUM> may include translucent portions <NUM>A-C (e.g., etch patterns) that allow for the diffused light to escape the power supply portion <NUM> at specific locations and provide a desired effect. For example, appearing to glow in response to a draw from the user.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to an electronic cigarette including a sensor, controller circuitry, and a light source. The sensor is configured for determining a user draw characteristic and transmitting a draw signal indicative of the determined user draw characteristic. The controller circuitry is communicatively coupled to the sensor, and receives the draw signal from which it determines a light intensity signal transmission. The light source is communicatively coupled to the controller circuitry, and receives the light intensity signal from the sensor - thereafter emitting an intensity of light corresponding to the received light intensity signal. In some embodiments, the user draw characteristic comprises a magnitude of a user draw on the electronic cigarette. In more specific embodiments, the sensor comprises a mass airflow sensor, wherein the user draw characteristic corresponds to a mass of air moving through the electronic cigarette during the user draw.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to an electronic cigarette including a sensor, a light source, and controller circuitry. The sensor determines a magnitude of a draw characteristic, and transmits a signal indicative of the determined magnitude of the draw characteristic. The light source emits a varying intensity of light in response to an input signal. The controller circuitry is communicatively coupled to the sensor and the light source, and the controller circuitry receives, from the sensor, the signal indicative of the determined magnitude of the draw characteristic, associates the determined magnitude of the draw characteristic with a light intensity of the light source, and generates and transmits the input signal to the light source based on the light intensity associated with the determined magnitude of the draw characteristic. In some embodiments, the sensor is a mass airflow sensor that determines a mass flowrate of the draw, a heater coil temperature sensor, or a capacitive velocity sensor.

In various embodiments the association between the determined magnitude of the draw characteristic and the light intensity of the light source are non-linear. In one specific embodiment, the association is a logarithmic transfer function.

A light source as disclosed herein may be one or more light emitting diodes, the one or more light emitting diodes may be dependently and/or independently addressable by the controller circuitry.

In accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure, in response to a change in a draw characteristic measured by a sensor over time, controller circuitry in the eCig may vary the input signal and thereby visually indicate a change in a draw characteristic.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a circumferential light guide apparatus including a partial circumferential feature, opposing distal ends on either side of the partial circumferential feature, an aperture between the distal ends, and an outer surface. The opposing distal ends receive and direct light into the partial circumferential feature. In response to receiving light, the outer surface which includes variable surface texture, evenly distributes the directed light along the outer surface of the circumferential light guide. In some embodiments, the circumferential light guide apparatus further includes an electronic circuit board positioned within the aperture. The electronic circuit board including at least one light source substantially directed toward at least one of the opposing distal ends.

Various embodiments of a circumferential light guide apparatus include a tip diffuser coupled to an inner surface of a partial circumferential feature. The tip diffuser receives light directed along a longitudinal axis relative to the partial circumferential feature at a proximal surface of the tip diffuser, and evenly distributes the received light along a distal surface of the tip diffuser. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the tip diffuser is a bi-convex lens with a plurality of diffusing features extending into the proximal surface of the tip diffuser. In specific embodiments, the plurality of diffusing features are pyramidal apertures extending into the proximal surface of the tip diffuser.

Aspects of the circumferential light guide apparatus may include variable surface texture of an outer surface of a partial circumferential feature. In one embodiment, the variable surface texturing being minimal near the opposing distal ends, and increasing with a circumferential distance from the distal ends of the partial circumferential feature.

The circumferential light guide apparatus may also include an electronic circuit board, positioned within the aperture. The electronic circuit board including at least one light source substantially directed toward at least one of the opposing distal ends, and at least one light source substantially directed toward a tip diffuser In more specific embodiments, the light sources directed substantially toward at least one of the opposing distal ends may be offset relative to one another along a longitudinal axis of the partial circumferential feature.

It should be noted that the features illustrated in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and features of one embodiment may be employed with other embodiments as the skilled artisan would recognize, even if not explicitly stated herein. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques may be omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments of the disclosure. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the disclosure may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments of the disclosure. Accordingly, the examples and embodiments herein should not be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure. Moreover, it is noted that like reference numerals represent similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

The terms "including," "comprising" and variations thereof, as used in this disclosure, mean "including, but not limited to," unless expressly specified otherwise.

The terms "a," "an," and "the," as used in this disclosure, means "one or more," unless expressly specified otherwise.

Although process steps, method steps, algorithms, or the like, may be described in a sequential order, such processes, methods and algorithms may be configured to work in alternate orders. In other words, any sequence or order of steps that may be described does not necessarily indicate a requirement that the steps be performed in that order. The steps of the processes, methods or algorithms described herein may be performed in any order practical. Further, some steps may be performed simultaneously.

When a single device or article is described herein, it will be readily apparent that more than one device or article may be used in place of a single device or article. Similarly, where more than one device or article is described herein, it will be readily apparent that a single device or article may be used in place of the more than one device or article. The functionality or the features of a device may be alternatively embodied by one or more other devices which are not explicitly described as having such functionality or features.

Although several embodiments have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not limiting. Changes in detail or structure may be made without departing from the present teachings.

Various embodiments are described herein of various apparatuses, systems, and methods. Numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the overall structure, function, manufacture, and use of the embodiments as described in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It will be understood by those skilled in the art, however, that the embodiments may be practiced without such specific details. In other instances, well-known operations, components, and elements have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described in the specification. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the embodiments described and illustrated herein are non-limiting examples, and thus it can be appreciated that the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein may be representative and do not necessarily limit the scope of the disclosure.

Reference throughout the specification to "various embodiments," "some embodiments," "one embodiment," "an embodiment," or the like, means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in various embodiments," "in some embodiments," "in one embodiment," "in an embodiment," or the like, in places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

Claim 1:
An electronic cigarette (<NUM>) comprising:
a circumferential light guide (<NUM>) , comprising:
a partial circumferential feature (<NUM>);
opposing longitudinally-extending slot walls (<NUM>) on either side of the partial circumferential feature (<NUM>), the opposing longitudinally-extending slot walls (<NUM>) configured and arranged to receive and direct light into the partial circumferential feature (<NUM>);
a circuit board receiving slot (<NUM>) between the longitudinally-extending slot walls (<NUM>); and
an outer surface (<NUM>) configured and arranged to distribute light, entering the partial circumferential feature (<NUM>) from the opposing longitudinally-extending slot walls (<NUM>), along the outer surface (<NUM>) of the circumferential light guide (<NUM>),
wherein an electronic circuit board is positioned within the circuit board receiving slot (<NUM>), the electronic circuit board including at least one light source (<NUM>A - D, <NUM>) directed toward at least one of the opposing longitudinally-extending slot walls (<NUM>).