Patent Description:
The electronic cigarette is an electronic product simulating a cigarette, which can be atomized by controlling the internal atomizer to generate smoke, and the smoke can be sucked into the body from the cigarette holder by an user of the electronic cigarette so as to achieve the purpose of simulating smoking.

With the development of e-cigarette technology, the e-cigarettes currently on the market have the function of controlling the atomizer to output large power to generate large smoke in order to meet the user's demand for large smoke. However, in the process of the electronic cigarette controlling the atomizer output at a larger power, the atomizer is prone to dry burning.

<CIT> disclose an electronic vaporizer including a heating element for heating a fluid to produce a vapor; a power source to provide electrical power to the heating element for heating the fluid; and a power control circuit configured to regulate a supply of electrical power from the power source to the heating element based at least in part on an operating temperature of the heating element and a temperature setting to prevent the operating temperature of the heating element from exceeding the temperature setting.

<CIT> relates to an electronic cigarette control method, an electronic cigarette control device and an electronic cigarette. The method comprises the following steps of when the electronic cigarette starts, detecting whether the resistance value of an atomizer is in the preset range or not; if so, obtaining the current and the current voltage of the atomizer; performing calculation according to the current and the current voltage to obtain the current output power of the atomizer; outputting a corresponding control signal to a power regulating circuit according to the current output power; regulating the output power of the atomizer by the power regulating circuit according to the control signal; returning to the step of obtaining the current, and current voltage of the atomizer. The regulation on the output power of the electronic cigarette can be realized, so that the burning of the atomizer of the electronic cigarette can be avoided; the service life of the atomizer is prolonged; the service life of the electronic cigarette is further prolonged.

<CIT> discloses a hot-wire control for an electronic cigarette. The electronic cigarette ("e-Cig") may include functionality for monitoring and controlling the thermal properties of the e-Cig. The system and method described herein may monitor a temperature based on a resistor (i.e. hot wire) near the wick and model the thermal cycle of an e-Cig. The model can be used for controlling the temperature of the e-Cig and preventing burning. The temperature control may dictate optimal conditions for atomization and smoke generation in an e-Cig while avoiding hotspots and burning to the atomizer or cartomizer.

In order to solve the problem that the atomizer is prone to dry burning in the prior art, the claimed inventions provide a control method according to claim <NUM>, a control device according to claim <NUM> and a computer storage medium according to claim <NUM>. Optional features are described in the dependent claims <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>.

In order to more clearly explain the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings required in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present claimed invention, which scope of protection is defined by the appended claims. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without paying any creative work, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings.

To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present invention clearer, the following describes the embodiments of the present invention in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The "electronic devices" mentioned in the article can include smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, e-book readers, MP3 players (Moving Picture Experts Group Audio Layer III, Motion Picture Experts Compression Standard Audio Layer <NUM>), MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group Audio Layer IV, motion picture expert compression standard audio layer <NUM>) Players, laptops and desktop computers, etc..

In the method provided by the embodiment of the present invention, the execution subject of each step may be a device capable of loading an atomizer, such as an electronic cigarette. For ease of description, in each of the following method embodiments, only the execution body of each step is taken as an example for illustration, but this does not constitute a limitation.

Please refer to <FIG>, which shows a flowchart of a control method provided by an embodiment of the present invention. The control method includes the following steps.

Step <NUM>: Obtaining the maximum output power of an atomizer connected to a body during a secure output.

Step <NUM>: Detecting whether a currently-set target power of the atomizer is higher than the maximum output power.

Step <NUM>, when the target power is higher than the maximum output power, executing a preset operation, the preset operation including at least one of controlling the atomizer to output at power less than or equal to the maximum output power when receiving a cigarette lighting signal, and displaying a first reminder message.

In summary, the method provided by the embodiment of the present invention obtains the maximum output power of the atomizer connected to the body during a secure output; detects whether the currently-set target power of the atomizer is higher than the maximum output power; when the target power is higher than the maximum output power, executes a preset operation. The preset operation includes at least one of controlling the atomizer to output at power output less than or equal to the maximum output power when receiving the cigarette lighting signal, and displaying the first reminder message. Solve the problem that the atomizer in the related art is prone to dry burning, and protect the atomizer, prevent the high-power output of the atomizer from burning the heating component in the atomizer, and reduce the life of the heating component; because the dry burning of the atomizer is avoided, the effect of ensuring the smoking taste of the user is achieved.

Please refer to <FIG>, which shows a flowchart of a control method provided by another embodiment of the present invention. The control method includes the following steps.

The step <NUM> is implemented in the following ways:
First, obtaining the device information of the atomizer, wherein the device information includes at least one of the device model and the device identification; and to obtain the maximum output power of the atomizer during the secure output according to the device information.

Among them, the realization of obtaining the device information of the atomizer can be as follows: <NUM>. obtain the device information inputted by the user; <NUM>. when the atomizer is installed in the body of the electronic cigarette, the data communication port of the processor in the atomizer is electrically connected to the processor of the electronic cigarette; the processor in the atomizer sends locally stored device information to the processor in the electronic cigarette.

After obtaining the device information of the atomizer, the electronic cigarette can query the maximum output power corresponding to the device information locally, or query the maximum output power corresponding to the device information from the server. The electronic cigarette and the server can store the correspondence relationship between the device information of each atomizer on the market and the maximum output power when the atomizer is during the secure output. The correspondence relationship in the electronic cigarette may be set by the user, or may be the system default.

Second, the method may obtain in step <NUM> the resistance value information of the atomizer, and the maximum output power of the atomizer during a secure output according to the resistance value information.

Wherein, the realization of obtaining the resistance value information of the atomizer may be:.

Among them, the electronic device and the electronic cigarette can communicate through wireless communication technologies such as Bluetooth technology, WIFI (wireless fidelity, wireless fidelity) direct connection technology, etc., and can also communicate through a data connection line. This embodiment will not repeat them one by one.

After obtaining the resistance value information of the atomizer connected to the electronic cigarette, the electronic cigarette can query the maximum output power corresponding to the resistance value information of the atomizer according to the preset correspondence relationship between the resistance value and the maximum output power, specifically, the maximum output power of the atomizer during secure output can be obtained in the following ways:.

The specific implementation may be: obtaining the maximum value in the resistance value information, determining the output power corresponding to the range of the maximum value, and determining the output power as the maximum output power when the atomizer is in secure output.

Wherein, the preset correspondence relationship may be a default correspondence relationship in the electronic cigarette, or may be a correspondence relationship preset by the user, which will not be repeated here. In addition, for the above-mentioned preset correspondence, the user can make changes according to requirements. That is, the control method may further include the following steps:.

The adjustment instruction may be an instruction applied by the user in the electronic cigarette, or an instruction applied through an external electronic device, which is not limited.

Step <NUM>: Detecting whether the currently-set target power of the atomizer is higher than the maximum output power.

After step <NUM> is performed, step <NUM> or step <NUM> or step <NUM> is performed.

Step <NUM>: When the target power is higher than the maximum output power, controlling the atomizer to output power at a power less than or equal to the maximum output power when receiving the cigarette lighting signal.

The cigarette lighting signal may be a pressing signal generated when an user presses the key on the electronic cigarette after the electronic cigarette is turned on. The cigarette lighting signal may also be an airflow signal detected by an airflow sensor. The cigarette lighting signal may also be a voice control signal. The cigarette lighting signal is not specifically limited.

It should be noted that the airway where the airflow sensor is located is connected to the mouthpiece of the electronic cigarette. When the user smokes through the mouthpiece of the electronic cigarette, since the airflow sensor is located in the airway connected to the mouthpiece, the airflow sensor can detect the airway signal.

The target power involved in this step <NUM> may be set by the user, or may be a fixed value stored in the electronic cigarette. In step <NUM>, controlling the atomizer when receiving the cigarette lighting signal to output power less than or equal to the maximum output power can also be achieved in the following ways:.

Electronic cigarettes can obtain the recommended output power in the following ways:.

It should be noted that the embodiment of the present invention only schematically illustrates how to obtain the recommended output power in the above three ways. In actual implementation, how to obtain the recommended output power can also be achieved through other methods, for example, obtaining the output power of the e-cigarette last used and not higher than this maximum output power is regarded as the recommended output power. Therefore, in this embodiment of the present invention, other implementation manners of how to obtain the recommended output power are not described one by one.

Step <NUM>: When the target power is less than or equal to the maximum output power, control the atomizer to output at the target power when receiving the cigarette lighting signal.

Taking the electronic cigarette in power mode as an example, the electronic cigarette can control the atomizer to work according to a preset output power. When its target power is less than or equal to the maximum output power, the electronic cigarette controls the atomizer to output at the target power when receiving the cigarette lighting signal.

Taking the electronic cigarette in the temperature control mode as an example, the electronic cigarette can control the temperature of the heating component inside the atomizer to be close to or equal to the preset temperature when the atomizer is working. When the target power of the electronic cigarette is less than or equal to the maximum output power, and the temperature of the heating component does not reach the preset temperature, the atomizer is controlled to output according to the target power when receiving the cigarette lighting signal.

Step <NUM>: When the target power is higher than the maximum output power, displaying a first reminder message.

Optionally, the first reminder message may be used to remind the user that the currently-set target power is higher than the maximum output power of the atomizer during the secure output. The reminding method of the first reminder message can be set by the user, that is, the electronic cigarette can receive a setting instruction for setting the reminding method of the first reminder message, and display the first reminder message according to the reminding method set by the setting instruction. The implementation manner of displaying the first reminder message may include the following:.

In one example, after step <NUM> is performed, step <NUM> and step <NUM> may be performed. The implementation of step <NUM> is that when the e-cigarette receives the cigarette lighting signal and the atomizer stops working, the first reminder message is used to prompt the user that the atomizer stops working; In the case that the atomizer outputs power according to the maximum output power or less, the first reminder message is used to prompt the user that the output power of the atomizer has been lowered.

In summary, the method provided by the embodiment of the present invention obtains the maximum output power of the atomizer connected to the body during the secure output; detects whether the currently-set target power of the atomizer is higher than the maximum output power; when the target power is higher than the maximum output power, executing a preset operation, the preset operation includes at least one of controlling the atomizer to output at power less than or equal to the maximum output power when receiving the cigarette lighting signal, and displaying the first reminder message. Solve the problem that the atomizer in the related art is prone to dry burning, and protect the atomizer, prevent the high power output of the atomizer from burning the heating component in the atomizer, and reduce the life of the heating component; because the dry burning of the atomizer is avoided, the effect of ensuring the smoking taste of the user is achieved.

In one example, the first reminder message involved in step <NUM> is used to prompt the user to confirm whether to control the atomizer to output according to the target power. For example, the electronic cigarette may display the first reminder message, a confirmation button, and a denial button in its display module.

Optionally, after the electronic cigarette displays a first reminder message in its display module for prompting the user to confirm whether to control the output of the atomizer according to the target power, the electronic cigarette controls the atomizer output at the target power when receiving the cigarette lighting signal when it detects that the confirmation output condition is satisfied.

For example, when detecting that the confirmation button is triggered, the electronic cigarette controls the atomizer to output at the target power when receiving the cigarette lighting signal. For another example, the electronic cigarette does not detect that the denial button is triggered within a preset time period after displaying the first reminder message, and controls the atomizer to output at the target power when receiving the cigarette lighting signal.

Optionally, after the electronic cigarette displays a first reminder message on its display module for prompting the user to confirm whether to control the output of the atomizer according to the target power, the electronic cigarette receives the confirmation signal for confirming that the atomizer stops outputting according to the target power, the atomizer is controlled to output at a power less than or equal to the maximum output power when receiving the cigarette lighting signal. The confirmation signal is generated when the user confirms that the atomizer stops outputting at the target power.

For example, when the denial button is triggered by the user, the electronic cigarette receives the confirmation signal, and controls the atomizer to output at a power less than or equal to the maximum output power when receiving the cigarette lighting signal.

For the implementation of controlling the atomizer at the power output less than or equal to the maximum output power when receiving the cigarette lighting signal, can refer to the implementation of step <NUM> to control the atomizer according to the smoke signal to output the power output less than or equal to the maximum output power.

In an example, the specific implementation of controlling the atomizer when receiving the cigarette lighting signal to output power less than or equal to the maximum output power may also be: obtaining the output power inputted by the user as the target power; when the target power is less than the maximum output power during the secure output, the atomizer is controlled to output according to the target power when receiving the cigarette lighting signal.

The electronic cigarette can directly obtain the output power inputted by the user, and can also receive the output power inputted by the user sent by the electronic device.

In one example, when the electronic cigarette has its power limitation function turned on, the electronic cigarette can perform several steps as shown in <FIG>; when the electronic cigarette has its power limitation function turned off, it does not adjust the output power of the atomizer according to the atomizer's the power information and the resistance value information.

Optionally, the electronic cigarette can display a setting menu of the power limitation function, and the user can turn on or off the power limitation function of the electronic cigarette through the setting menu. For example, the setting menu may include a sliding button. When it is detected that the sliding button is slid to the first limit position, the electronic cigarette turns on its power limitation function; when it is detected that the sliding button is slid to the second limit position, the electronic cigarette turns off its power limitation function.

Optionally, the user can also set the corresponding maximum output power for multiple resistance value information through the setting menu. For example, the electronic cigarette provides an input box for each of the resistance value information, and stores the maximum output power inputted in the input box corresponding to the resistance value information corresponding to the input box. Any one of the plurality of resistance value information mentioned here may be the resistance value information of any atomizer on the market.

According to the claimed invention, the user can also set the display mode of the first reminder message through the setting menu. The display modes mentioned here include a text reminder mode, an alarm by an alarm device, a voice broadcast of the first reminder message, and so on. Then, when displaying the first reminder message, the electronic cigarette can be displayed according to the display mode selected in the setting menu.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the setting menu of the power limitation function provided by the electronic cigarette is used as an example for illustration. In actual implementation, the setting menu may be provided by the electronic device, and the electronic device may send a notification message to notify the electronic cigarette to turn on or turn off the power limitation function, and the electronic device sends the maximum output power corresponding to each resistance value information and set by the user to the electronic cigarette, and the electronic device sends the display mode of the first reminder message set by the user to the electronic cigarette.

In one example, a liquid level detector is provided in the atomizer, and the liquid level detector is used to detect the liquid level value of the liquid in the atomizer. The liquid level detector may be a resistance type, a microwave type, a laser type, or an ultrasonic type, Photoelectric, thermoelectric, inductive, capacitive, electromagnetic, piezoelectric, optical fiber and nuclear radiation.

When the liquid in the atomizer is too little, dry burning is easy to occur. In order to avoid dry burning, when the liquid level detector detects that the liquid level value of the liquid in the atomizer is lower than a preset threshold, the electronic cigarette reduces the output power of the atomizer according to the liquid level value.

Among them, reducing the output power of the atomizer according to the liquid level value can be achieved in the following ways:.

In one example, the electronic cigarette also obtains the temperature of the heating component in the atomizer, and determines the consumption rate of the liquid in the atomizer according to the temperature of the heating component; when the consumption rate is greater than the maximum liquid absorption rate of the liquid-absorbing member in the atomizer, reduces the output power of the atomizer or control the atomizer to stop working.

Optionally, the realization of the electronic cigarette determining the consumption rate of the liquid in the atomizer according to the temperature of the heating component may be: obtaining the consumption rate of the liquid in the atomizer corresponding to the heating component, the temperature of the heating component and the consumption rate of the liquid in the atomizer is positively correlated. The correspondence between the temperature of the heating component and the consumption rate of the liquid in the atomizer is stored in the electronic cigarette, and may be a correspondence table or a relation curve.

The electronic cigarette can obtain the maximum liquid absorption rate of the liquid-absorbing member in the atomizer by: <NUM>. Obtaining the maximum liquid absorption rate of the liquid-absorbing member in the atomizer sent by the atomizer; <NUM>. Obtaining the maximum liquid absorption rate of the liquid-absorbing member in the atomizer inputted by the user.

In one example, when the liquid level detector detects that the liquid level value of the liquid in the atomizer is lower than a preset threshold, the consumption rate of the liquid in the atomizer is determined according to the output power of the atomizer; calculating safe working duration based on the liquid level value and the consumption rate, and displaying a second reminder message carrying the safe working duration.

The realization of the electronic cigarette determining the consumption rate of the liquid in the atomizer according to the output power of the atomizer may be: obtaining the consumption rate corresponding to the output power of the atomizer, and the output power is positively correlated with the consumption rate. The correspondence between the output power of the atomizer and the consumption rate of the liquid in the atomizer is stored in the electronic cigarette, and may be a correspondence table or a relationship curve.

For the manner of displaying the second reminder message, please refer to the manner of displaying the first reminder message, which will not be repeated here. By displaying the second prompt message, the user can inject liquid into the atomizer within the safe working time or replace the atomizer within the safe working time.

An embodiment of the present invention also provides a control device including a memory and a processor; the memory stores at least one program instruction; the processor implements the control method involved in the embodiment by loading and executing at least one program instruction.

An embodiment of the present invention also provides an electronic cigarette. The electronic cigarette includes the control device described in the foregoing embodiment.

An embodiment of the present invention also provides a computer-readable storage medium in which one or more instructions are stored, when the one or more instructions are executed by a control component in the electronic cigarette, the control method according to any of the above embodiments is implemented.

The sequence numbers of the above embodiments of the present invention are for description only, and do not represent the advantages and disadvantages of the embodiments.

Claim 1:
A control method, characterized in that, the method comprises:
obtaining a maximum output power of an atomizer connected to a body during a secure output;
detecting whether a currently-set target power of the atomizer is higher than the maximum output power;
when the target power is higher than the maximum output power, executing a preset operation, the preset operation comprising at least one of controlling the atomizer to output at power less than or equal to the maximum output power when receiving a cigarette lighting signal, and controlling an electronic cigarette display a first reminder message according to a display mode selected in a setting menu by the user;
wherein obtaining the maximum output power of the atomizer connected to the body during the secure output comprises: obtaining the maximum output power of the atomizer during the secure output according to a device information of the atomizer, wherein the device information of the atomizer includes at least one of a device model and a device identification;
wherein the controlling the atomizer to output at power less than or equal to the maximum output power when receiving the cigarette lighting signal comprises:
obtaining an output power inputted by an user, controlling the atomizer to output according to the output power inputted by the user when receiving the cigarette lighting signal; or,
obtaining a recommended output power, and controlling the atomizer output at the recommended output power when receiving the cigarette lighting signal, the recommended output power determined according to historical output power of the electronic cigarette; or,
when the cigarette lighting signal is received, the atomizer controlled to stop working.