Patent Description:
Electronic vaping devices are used to vaporize a pre-vapor formulation material into a vapor. These electronic vaping devices may be referred to as e-vaping devices. E-vaping devices include a heater which vaporizes the pre-vapor formulation material to produce vapor. An e-vaping device may include several e-vaping elements including a power source, a cartridge or e-vaping tank including the heater and along with a reservoir capable of holding the pre-vapor formulation material.

<CIT> describes an inhalation device for delivering an airborne substance to the mouth and/or respiratory tract of a user which may comprise: a touch or proximity sensitive user interface; one or more types of sensors to sense indications that a user wishes to use the device, e.g. movement of the device from a table to a user's mouth and/or movement due to tapping by the user, and a device controller, controlled by the interface, to control one or more functions of the inhaler. The controller and interface are configured to detect when specific gestures are performed by the user and in response to control functions of the inhaler. It further discloses that the inhalation device may pre-heat the heating element to a lower temperature by delivering a low power to the heating element for a pre-defined time period (e.g. a few seconds). This function may be activated by performing a tapping gesture.

<CIT> describes an aerosol delivery device including a housing, motion sensor and microprocessor. The sensor detects a defined motion of the device caused by user interaction to perform a gesture. The sensor converts the motion to an electrical signal. The microprocessor or sensor receives the electrical signal, recognizes the gesture and an operation associated with the gesture based on the signal, and controls the device to perform the operation. "Designing Efficient and Accurate Behavior-Aware Mobile Systems" authored by Abhinav Parate (XP055509011) discloses a computational pipeline for detecting smoking sessions and gestures. At the lowest layer of the pipeline is the extraction of quaternion data from a single wrist-worn <NUM>-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU).

A supervised classifier, called Random Forests, outputs the probability for the type of gesture.

The present invention provides a method of controlling a heater of an e-vaping device in accordance with claim <NUM>.

According to the present disclosure, a method of detecting a hand-to-mouth (HMG) gesture with an e-vaping device includes detecting movements of the e-vaping device; generating quaternions based on the detected movements; generating movement features based on the generated quaternions; applying the generated movement features to a classifier; and determining whether the detected movements correspond to an HMG based on an output of the classifier.

The HMG may be a gesture in which an adult vaper holding the e-vaping device moves their hand towards their mouth, and the classifier is trained to distinguish HMGs from other gestures.

The classifier may be a classifier that was generated through training using linear discriminant analysis (LDA).

The method may further include transforming the quaternions into three-dimensional (<NUM>-D) Cartesian coordinates.

The generating movement features based on the generated quaternions may include extracting the movement features based on the <NUM>-D Cartesian coordinates.

The method may further include filtering the <NUM>-D Cartesian coordinates, and the extracting may further include extracting the movement features from the filtered <NUM>-D Cartesian coordinates.

The method may further include filtering the quaternions, the transforming may further include transforming the filtered quaternions into the three-dimensional (<NUM>-D) Cartesian coordinates, and the extracting may further include extracting the movement features from the <NUM>-D Cartesian coordinates.

The generated movement features may include a linear speed of the e-vaping device, and a distance from rest point location of the e-vaping device.

The distance from rest point location of the e-vaping device may be a distance between a current location of the e-vaping device and a rest point of the e-vaping device, the rest point being a point in three-dimensional (<NUM>-D) space at which the e-vaping device was last stationary or substantially stationary.

The detecting movements may include detecting the movements of the e-vaping device using device sensors included in the e-vaping device, the device sensors including at least one of a gyroscope, an accelerometer, and a magnetometer.

The detecting movements may include detecting the movements of the e-vaping device using an inertial measurement unit (IMU) included in the e-vaping device.

According to the present invention, a method of controlling a heater of an e-vaping device, the heater having at least a first operation mode in which a first amount of power is supplied to the heater by the e-vaping device, and a second operation mode in which a second amount of power greater than the first amount is supplied to the heater by the e-vaping device, includes detecting movements of the e-vaping device; determining whether a hand-to-mouth gesture (HMG) occurred with respect to the e-vaping device based on the detected movements; and transitioning the operation mode of the heater from the first operation mode to the second operation mode in response to determining that the HMG occurred.

The first operation mode is a mode in which no power is supplied to the heater by the e-vaping device, and the second operation mode is a mode in which an amount of power supplied to the heater by the e-vaping device is an amount that causes the heater to heat a pre-vapor formulation stored in the e-vaping device to a temperature below a boiling point of the pre-vapor formulation.

The method further includes generating quaternions based on the detected movements; generating movement features based on the generated quaternions; and applying the generated movement features to a classifier, and the determining may include determining whether the HMG occurred based on an output of the classifier.

The HMG is a gesture in which an adult vaper holding the e-vaping device moves their hand towards their mouth, and the classifier is trained to distinguish HMGs from other gestures.

The method may further include filtering the <NUM>-D Cartesian coordinates, and the extracting may include extracting the movement features from the filtered <NUM>-D Cartesian coordinates.

The method may further include filtering the quaternions, the transforming may include transforming the filtered quaternions into the three-dimensional (<NUM>-D) Cartesian coordinates, and the extracting may include extracting the movement features from the <NUM>-D Cartesian coordinates.

It should be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being "on," "connected to," "coupled to," or "covering" another element or layer, it may be directly on, connected to, coupled to, or covering the other element or layer or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on," "directly connected to," or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the specification.

It should be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, elements, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, elements, regions, layers, and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, element, region, layer, or section from another region, layer, or section. Thus, a first element, element, region, layer, or section discussed below could be termed a second element, element, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms (e.g., "beneath," "below," "lower," "above," "upper," and the like) may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It should be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. Thus, the term "below" may encompass both an orientation of above and below.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing various embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. It will be further understood that the terms "includes," "including," "comprises," and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or elements, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, elements, and/or groups thereof.

Example embodiments are described herein with reference to cross-sectional illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) of example embodiments. Thus, example embodiments should not be construed as limited to the shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing. The regions illustrated in the figures are schematic in nature and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the actual shape of a region of a device and are not intended to limit the scope of example embodiments.

An "e-vapor device" as used herein may be referred to on occasion using, and considered synonymous with, any of the terms: e-vaping device, e-vapor apparatus, and e-vaping apparatus.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a dispensing body of an e-vapor apparatus according to an example embodiment. Referring to <FIG>, a dispensing body <NUM> of an e-vapor apparatus includes a frame portion that is connected to a body portion <NUM>. The frame portion includes a first frame <NUM> and a second frame <NUM>. The side walls <NUM> (e.g., inner side surfaces) of the first frame <NUM> and the second frame <NUM> define a through-hole <NUM>. The through-hole <NUM> is configured to receive a pod assembly (which will be subsequently discussed in detail).

Generally, an e-vapor apparatus may include the dispensing body <NUM>, a pod assembly inserted in the through-hole <NUM> of the dispensing body <NUM>, and a vaporizer disposed in at least one of the pod assembly and the dispensing body <NUM>. The pod assembly may include a pre-vapor formulation compartment (e.g., pre-vapor formulation compartment), a device compartment, and a vapor channel. The vapor channel may extend from the device compartment and traverse the pre-vapor formulation compartment. The pre-vapor formulation compartment is configured to hold a pre-vapor formulation (e.g., pre-vapor formulation) therein. A pre-vapor formulation is a material or combination of materials that may be transformed into a vapor. For example, the pre-vapor formulation may be a liquid, solid, and/or gel formulation including, but not limited to, water, beads, solvents, active ingredients, ethanol, plant extracts, natural or artificial flavors, and/or vapor formers such as glycerine and propylene glycol.

The dispensing body <NUM> includes a proximal portion and an opposing distal portion. The mouthpiece <NUM> is disposed at the proximal portion, while the end piece <NUM> is disposed at the distal portion. The proximal portion includes a vapor passage <NUM> and the through-hole <NUM>. The vapor passage <NUM> extends from an end surface of the proximal portion to the side wall <NUM> of the through-hole <NUM>. The vapor passage <NUM> is in the form of one or more passageways extending through the proximal portion of the dispensing body <NUM>. The through-hole <NUM> is between the vapor passage <NUM> and the distal portion of the dispensing body <NUM> (e.g., between the mouthpiece <NUM> and the body portion <NUM>).

A vaporizer (which will be subsequently discussed in more detail) is disposed in at least one of the pod assembly and the dispensing body <NUM>. The pre-vapor formulation compartment of the pod assembly is configured to be in fluidic communication with the vaporizer during an operation of the e-vapor apparatus such that the pre-vapor formulation from the pre-vapor formulation compartment comes into thermal contact with the vaporizer. The vaporizer is configured to heat the pre-vapor formulation to produce a vapor that passes through the pod assembly via the vapor channel. The through-hole <NUM> of the dispensing body <NUM> is configured to receive the pod assembly such that the vapor channel of the pod assembly is aligned with the vapor passage <NUM> of the dispensing body <NUM> so as to facilitate a delivery of the vapor through the vapor passage <NUM> of the dispensing body <NUM>.

<FIG> is an exploded view of the dispensing body of <FIG>. Referring to <FIG>, the first frame <NUM> and the second frame <NUM> are configured to unite to form the frame portion of the dispensing body <NUM>. A number of options are available for uniting the first frame <NUM> and the second frame <NUM>. In an example embodiment, the first frame <NUM> is a female member, while the second frame <NUM> is a male member that is configured to engage therewith. Alternatively, the first frame <NUM> may be a male member, while the second frame <NUM> may be a female member that is configured to engage therewith. The engagement of the first frame <NUM> and the second frame <NUM> may be via a snap-fit, friction-fit, or slide-lock type arrangement, although example embodiments are not limited thereto.

The first frame <NUM> may be regarded as the front frame of the dispensing body <NUM>, and the second frame <NUM> may be regarded as the rear frame (or vice versa). Additionally, the proximal ends of the first frame <NUM> and the second frame <NUM>, when united, define the vapor passage <NUM> therebetween. The vapor passage <NUM> may be in the form of a single passageway that is in communication with the through-hole <NUM> defined by the side wall <NUM>. Alternatively, the vapor passage <NUM> may be in the form of a plurality of passageways that are in communication with the through-hole <NUM> defined by the side wall <NUM>. In such an example, the plurality of passageways may include a central passageway surrounded by peripheral passageways (or just several evenly spaced passageways). Each of the plurality of passageways may independently extend from the through-hole <NUM> to the proximal end surface of the frame portion. Alternatively, a common passageway may extend partly from the through-hole <NUM> and then branch into a plurality of passageways that extend to the proximal end surface of the frame portion.

The mouthpiece <NUM> is configured to slip onto the proximal end of the frame portion that defines the vapor passage <NUM>. As a result, the outer surface of the proximal end formed by the first frame <NUM> and the second frame <NUM> may correspond to an inner surface of the mouthpiece <NUM>. Alternatively, the proximal end defining the vapor passage <NUM> may be integrally formed as part of the mouthpiece <NUM> (instead of being a part of the frame portion). The mouthpiece <NUM> may be secured via a snap-fit type or other suitable arrangement. In an example embodiment, the mouthpiece <NUM> is a removable element that is intended to permit voluntary, recommended, or required replacement by an adult vaper. For instance, the mouthpiece <NUM> may, in addition to its intended functionality, provide a visual or other sensory appeal. In particular, the mouthpiece <NUM> may be formed of an ornamental material (e.g., wood, metal, ceramic) and/or include designs (e.g., patterns, images, characters). Moreover, the length of the mouthpiece <NUM> may be varied to adjust for the temperature at an outlet of the mouthpiece. Thus, the mouthpiece <NUM> may be customized so as to provide an expression of personality and individuality. In other instances, the removable nature of the mouthpiece <NUM> may facilitate a recommended replacement due to the amount of usage or a required replacement due to wear over time or damage (e.g., chipped mouthpiece <NUM> caused by accidental dropping of e-vapor apparatus).

The lower ends of the first frame <NUM> and the second frame <NUM> opposite the proximal ends (that define the vapor passage <NUM>) are configured to insert into the body portion <NUM>. To facilitate a secure fit, the outer surface of the lower ends of the first frame <NUM> and the second frame <NUM> may correspond to a receiving inner surface of the body portion <NUM>. Additionally, the lower ends of the first frame <NUM> and the second frame <NUM> may also define a groove therebetween to accommodate one or more wires that connect to one or more electrical contacts provided in the side wall <NUM> (e.g., lower surface of the side wall <NUM> opposite the vapor passage <NUM>). A power source (e.g., battery) may also be provided in the groove to supply the requisite current through the wire(s). Alternatively, the power source may be provided in an available space within the body portion <NUM> between the inserted lower end of the frame portion and the end piece <NUM>.

A first button <NUM> and a second button <NUM> may be provided on the body portion <NUM> and connected to the corresponding circuitry and electronics therein. In an example embodiment, the first button <NUM> may be a power button, and the second button <NUM> may be a battery level indicator. The battery level indicator may display a representation of the amount of power available (e.g., <NUM> out of <NUM> bars). In addition, the battery level indicator may also blink and/or change colors. To stop the blinking, a second button <NUM> may be pressed. Thus, the button(s) of the e-vapor apparatus may have a control and/or display function. It should be understood that the examples with regard to the first button <NUM> and the second button <NUM> are not intended to be limiting and can have different implementations depending on the desired functionalities. Accordingly, more than two buttons (and/or of different shapes) may be provided in the same proximity or at a different location on the e-vapor apparatus. Moreover, different implementations of the first button <NUM> and the second button <NUM> may be controlled by a controller <NUM> based on inputs from an adult vaper.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the mouthpiece of <FIG>. Referring to <FIG>, the mouthpiece <NUM> may be an open-ended cap-like structure that is configured to slip onto the proximal end of the frame portion defining the vapor passage <NUM>. The mouthpiece <NUM> may have a wider base that tapers to a narrower top. However, it should be understood that example embodiments are not limited thereto. In an example embodiment, one side of the mouthpiece <NUM> may be more linear, while the opposing side may be more curved.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the first frame of <FIG>. Referring to <FIG>, the first frame <NUM> includes a side wall <NUM> that defines a through-hole <NUM>. The first frame <NUM> is configured to unite with the second frame <NUM>, which also includes a side wall <NUM> defining a through-hole <NUM>. Because the combined through-hole <NUM> is configured to receive a pod assembly, the side walls <NUM> of the first frame <NUM> and the second frame <NUM> may form a relatively smooth and continuous surface to facilitate the insertion of the pod assembly.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the second frame of <FIG>. Referring to <FIG>, the second frame <NUM> is configured to unite with the first frame <NUM> such that the shape defined by the combined side walls <NUM> corresponds to the shape of the side surface of a pod assembly. In addition, an attachment structure (e.g., mating member/recess, magnetic arrangement) may be provided on at least one of the side walls <NUM> and the side surface of the pod assembly.

For example, the attachment structure may include a mating member that is formed on the side wall <NUM> (of the first frame <NUM> and/or second frame <NUM>) and a corresponding recess that is formed on the side surface of the pod assembly. Conversely, the mating member may be formed on the side surface of the pod assembly, while the corresponding recess may be formed on the side wall <NUM> (of the first frame <NUM> and/or second frame <NUM>). In a non-limiting embodiment, the mating member may be a rounded structure to facilitate the engagement/disengagement of the attachment structure, while the recess may be a concave indentation that corresponds to the curvature of the rounded structure. The mating member may also be spring-loaded so as to retract (via spring compression) when the pod assembly is being inserted into the through-hole <NUM> and protract (via spring decompression) when mating member becomes aligned with the corresponding recess. The engagement of the mating member with the corresponding recess may result in an audible click, which provides a notification that the pod assembly is secured and properly positioned within the through-hole <NUM> of the dispensing body <NUM>.

In another example, the attachment structure may include a magnetic arrangement. For instance, a first magnet may be arranged in the side wall <NUM> (of the first frame <NUM> and/or second frame <NUM>), and a second magnet may be arranged in the side surface of the pod assembly. The first and/or second magnets may be exposed or hidden from view behind a layer of material. The first and second magnets are oriented so as to be attracted to each other, and a plurality of pairs of the first and second magnets may be provided to ensure that the pod assembly will be secure and properly aligned within the through-hole <NUM> of the dispensing body <NUM>. As a result, when the pod assembly is inserted in the through-hole <NUM>, the pair(s) of magnets (e.g., first and second magnets) will be attracted to each other and, thus, hold the pod assembly within the through-hole <NUM> while properly aligning the channel outlet of the pod assembly with the vapor passage <NUM> of the dispensing body <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the body portion of <FIG>. Referring to <FIG>, the body portion <NUM> may be a tube-like structure that constitutes a substantial segment of the dispensing body <NUM>. The cross-section of the body portion <NUM> may be oval-shaped, although other shapes are possible depending on the structure of the frame portion. The e-vapor apparatus may be held by the body portion <NUM>. Accordingly, the body portion <NUM> may be formed of (or covered with) a material that provides enhanced gripping and/or texture appeal to the fingers.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the end piece of <FIG>. Referring to <FIG>, the end piece <NUM> is configured to be inserted in the distal end of the body portion <NUM>. The shape of the end piece <NUM> may correspond to the shape of the distal end of the body portion <NUM> so as to provide a relatively smooth and continuous transition between the two surfaces.

<FIG> is a perspective view of another dispensing body of an e-vapor apparatus according to an example embodiment. Referring to <FIG>, the dispensing body <NUM> includes a side wall <NUM> defining a through-hole <NUM> that is configured to receive a pod assembly. A substantial portion of the framework of the dispensing body <NUM> is provided by the first frame <NUM>, the frame trim <NUM>, and the second frame <NUM> (e.g., <FIG>). A vapor passage <NUM> and a first mouthpiece <NUM> are provided at a proximal portion of the dispensing body <NUM>.

<FIG> is an exploded view of the dispensing body of <FIG>. Referring to <FIG>, the frame trim <NUM> is sandwiched between the first frame <NUM> and the second frame <NUM>. However, it should be understood that it is possible to modify and structure the first frame <NUM> and the second frame <NUM> such that the frame trim <NUM> is not needed. The vapor passage <NUM> may be defined by both the proximal ends of the first frame <NUM> and the second frame <NUM> as well as the second mouthpiece <NUM>. As a result, the vapor passage <NUM> extends from the side wall <NUM> to the outlet end of the second mouthpiece <NUM>. The first mouthpiece <NUM> is configured to slip onto the second mouthpiece <NUM>. In an example embodiment, the first mouthpiece <NUM> may be structured to be removable, while the second mouthpiece <NUM> may be structured to be permanent. Alternatively, the first mouthpiece <NUM> may be integrated with the second mouthpiece <NUM> to form a single structure that is removable.

A first button <NUM>, a second button <NUM>, and a third button <NUM> may be provided on the second frame <NUM> of the dispensing body <NUM>. In an example embodiment, the first button <NUM> may be a display (e.g., battery level indicator), the second button <NUM> may control an amount of pre-vapor formulation available to the heater, and the third button <NUM> may be the power button. However, it should be understood that example embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the third button <NUM> may be a capacitive slider. Notably, the buttons can have different implementations depending on the desired functionalities. Accordingly, a different number of buttons (and/or of different shapes) may be provided in the same proximity or at a different location on the e-vapor apparatus. Furthermore, the features and considerations in connection with the dispensing body <NUM> that are also applicable to the dispensing body <NUM> may be as discussed supra in connection with the dispensing body <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the first mouthpiece of <FIG>. Referring to <FIG>, the first mouthpiece <NUM> is configured to fit over the second mouthpiece <NUM>. Thus, the inner surface of the first mouthpiece <NUM> may correspond to an outer surface of the second mouthpiece <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the second mouthpiece of <FIG>. Referring to <FIG>, the second mouthpiece <NUM> defines a vapor passage <NUM> therein. The second mouthpiece <NUM> may resemble the combined proximal ends of the first frame <NUM> and the second frame <NUM> that define the vapor passage <NUM> of the dispensing body <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the first frame of <FIG>. Referring to <FIG>, the first frame <NUM> includes a side wall <NUM> that defines a through-hole <NUM>. The top end of the first frame <NUM> may include a connection structure that facilitates the connection of at least the second mouthpiece <NUM> thereto.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the frame trim of <FIG>. Referring to <FIG>, the frame trim <NUM> may be in the form of a curved strip that is supported by a central plate. When arranged between the first frame <NUM> and the second frame <NUM>, the frame trim <NUM> forms a side surface of the dispensing body <NUM>, although example embodiments are not limited thereto.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the second frame of <FIG>. Referring to <FIG>, the second frame <NUM> includes a side wall <NUM> that defines a through-hole <NUM>. The top end of the second frame <NUM> may include a connection structure that facilitates the connection of at least the second mouthpiece <NUM> thereto. In addition, the surface of the second frame <NUM> may be provided with a pattern or textured appearance. Such patterning and texturing may be aesthetic (e.g., visually appealing) and/or functional (e.g., enhanced grip) in nature. Although not shown, the surface of the first frame <NUM> may be similarly provided.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a pod assembly of an e-vapor apparatus according to an example embodiment. Referring to <FIG>, the pod assembly <NUM> includes a pod trim <NUM> that is arranged between a first cap <NUM> and a second cap <NUM>. The first cap <NUM> may be regarded as a front cap, and the second cap <NUM> may be regarded as a rear cap (or vice versa). The first cap <NUM> and the second cap <NUM> may be formed of a transparent material to permit a viewing of the contents (e.g., pre-vapor formulation) in the pod assembly <NUM>. The pod trim <NUM> defines a channel outlet <NUM> for the release of vapor generated within the pod assembly <NUM>.

The pod assembly <NUM> is a self-contained article that can be sealed with a protective film that wraps around the pod trim <NUM>. Additionally, because of the closed system nature of the pod assembly <NUM>, the risk of tampering and contamination can be reduced. Also, the chance of unwanted physical exposure to the pre-vapor formulation within the pod assembly <NUM> (e.g., via a leak) can be reduced. Furthermore, the pod assembly <NUM> can be structured so as to prevent refilling.

<FIG> is a top view of the pod assembly of <FIG>. Referring to <FIG>, the second cap <NUM> is wider than the first cap <NUM>. As a result, the pod trim <NUM> may slant outwards from the first cap <NUM> to the second cap <NUM>. However, it should be understood that other configurations are possible depending on the design of the pod assembly <NUM>.

<FIG> is a side view of the pod assembly of <FIG>. Referring to <FIG>, the second cap <NUM> is longer than the first cap <NUM>. As a result, the pod trim <NUM> may slant outwards from the first cap <NUM> to the second cap <NUM>. As a result, the pod assembly <NUM> may be inserted in a dispensing body such that the side corresponding to the first cap <NUM> is received in the through-hole first. In an example embodiment, the pod assembly <NUM> may be inserted in the through-hole <NUM> of the dispensing body <NUM> and/or the through-hole <NUM> of the dispensing body <NUM>.

<FIG> is an exploded view of the pod assembly of <FIG>. Referring to <FIG>, the internal space of the pod assembly <NUM> may be divided into a plurality of compartments by virtue of the elements therein. For instance, the tapered outlet of the vapor channel <NUM> may be aligned with the channel outlet <NUM>, and the space bounded by the first cap <NUM>, the vapor channel <NUM>, the pod trim <NUM>, and the second cap <NUM> may be regarded as the pre-vapor formulation compartment. Additionally, the bounded space under the vapor channel <NUM> may be regarded as the device compartment. For instance, the device compartment may include the vaporizer <NUM>. One benefit of including the vaporizer <NUM> in the pod assembly <NUM> is that the vaporizer <NUM> will only be used for the amount of pre-vapor formulation contained within the pre-vapor formulation compartment and, thus, will not be overused.

<FIG> a perspective view of several pod assemblies according to an example embodiment. Referring to <FIG>, each of the pod assemblies <NUM> includes a pod trim <NUM> arranged between a first cap <NUM> and a second cap <NUM>. The vapor channel <NUM> is aligned with the channel outlet <NUM> and arranged above the vaporizer <NUM>. The pod assembly <NUM> is sealed to hold a pre-vapor formulation <NUM> therein and to preclude tampering therewith. The pre-vapor formulation compartment of the pod assembly <NUM> is configured to hold the pre-vapor formulation <NUM>, and the device compartment includes the vaporizer <NUM>. The pod assembly <NUM> includes battery contacts <NUM> and a data connection <NUM> connected to a non-volatile memory (NVM) or, alternatively, a cryptographic coprocessor with non-volatile memory (CC-NVM) within the pod assembly <NUM>.

The term CC-NVM may refer to a hardware module(s) including a processor for encryption and related processing.

In further detail, the pod assembly <NUM> for an e-vapor apparatus may include a pre-vapor formulation compartment configured to hold a pre-vapor formulation <NUM> therein. A device compartment is in fluidic communication with the pre-vapor formulation compartment. The device compartment includes a vaporizer <NUM>. A vapor channel <NUM> extends from the device compartment and traverses the pre-vapor formulation compartment.

The pod assembly <NUM> is configured for insertion into a dispensing body. As a result, the dimensions of the pod assembly <NUM> may correspond to the dimensions of the through-hole (e.g., <NUM>) of the dispensing body (e.g., <NUM>). The vapor channel <NUM> may be between the mouthpiece (e.g., <NUM>) and the device compartment when the pod assembly <NUM> is inserted into the through-hole of the dispensing body.

An attachment structure (e.g., male/female member arrangement, magnetic arrangement) may be provided on at least one of the side walls (e.g., <NUM>) of the through-hole (e.g., <NUM>) and a side surface of the pod assembly <NUM>. The attachment structure may be configured to engage and hold the pod assembly <NUM> upon insertion into the through-hole of the dispensing body. In addition, the channel outlet <NUM> may be utilized to secure the pod assembly <NUM> within the through-hole of the dispensing body. For instance, the dispensing body may be provided with a retractable vapor connector that is configured to insert into the channel outlet <NUM> so as to secure the pod assembly <NUM> while also supplementing the vapor path from the channel outlet <NUM> to the vapor passage (e.g., <NUM>) of the dispensing body (e.g., <NUM>). The vapor connector may also be a rounded structure and/or spring-loaded to facilitate its retraction (e.g., via spring compression) and protraction (e.g., via spring decompression).

In an example embodiment, the pre-vapor formulation compartment of the pod assembly <NUM> may surround the vapor channel <NUM>. For instance, the vapor channel <NUM> may pass through a center of the pre-vapor formulation compartment, although example embodiments are not limited thereto.

Alternatively, instead of the vapor channel <NUM> shown in <FIG>, a vapor channel may be in a form of a pathway that is arranged along at least one sidewall of the pre-vapor formulation compartment. For example, a vapor channel may be provided in a form of a pathway that spans between the first cap <NUM> and the second cap <NUM> while extending along one or both sides of an inner surface of the pod trim <NUM>. As a result, the pathway may have a thin, rectangular cross-section, although example embodiments are not limited thereto. When the pathway is arranged along two sidewalls of the pre-vapor formulation compartment (e.g., both inner sidewalls of the pod trim <NUM>), the pathway along each sidewall may be configured to converge at a position (e.g., channel outlet <NUM>) that is aligned with the vapor passage (e.g., <NUM>) of the dispensing body (e.g., <NUM>) when the pod assembly <NUM> is received in the through-hole <NUM>.

In another instance, the vapor channel may be in a form of a conduit that is arranged in at least one corner of the pre-vapor formulation compartment. Such a corner may be at the interface of the first cap <NUM> and/or the second cap <NUM> with the inner surface of the pod trim <NUM>. As a result, the conduit may have a triangular cross-section, although example embodiments are not limited thereto. When the conduit is arranged in at least two corners (e.g., front corners, rear corners, diagonal corners, side corners) of the pre-vapor formulation compartment, the conduit in each corner may be configured to converge at a position (e.g., channel outlet <NUM>) that is aligned with the vapor passage (e.g., <NUM>) of the dispensing body (e.g., <NUM>) when the pod assembly <NUM> is received in the through-hole <NUM>.

The pre-vapor formulation compartment and the device compartment may be at opposite ends of the pod assembly <NUM>. The device compartment may include a memory device. The memory device may be coded with an electronic identity to permit at least one of an authentication of the pod assembly <NUM> and a pairing of operating parameters specific to a type of the pod assembly <NUM> when the pod assembly <NUM> is inserted into the through-hole of the dispensing body (e.g., smart calibration). The electronic identity may help prevent counterfeiting. The operating parameters may help improve a vaping experience. In an example embodiment, the level of pre-vapor formulation in the pod assembly <NUM> may be tracked. Additionally, the activation of the pod assembly <NUM> may be restricted once its intended usage life has been exceeded. Thus, the pod assembly <NUM> (and <NUM>) may be regarded as a smart pod.

A side surface of the pod assembly <NUM> includes at least one electrical contact <NUM> (e.g., two or three electrical contacts) and at least one electrical contact <NUM> (data connection) for data. The CC-NVM package or, alternatively, NVM is connected to the electrical contact <NUM> and one of the contacts <NUM>. The dispensing body may be configured to perform at least one of supply power to and communicate with the pod assembly <NUM> via the at least one electrical contact <NUM>. The at least one electrical contact <NUM> may be provided at an end of the pod assembly <NUM> corresponding to the device compartment. Because of its smart capability, the pod assembly <NUM> may communicate with dispensing body and/or another electronic device (e.g., smart phone). As a result, usage patterns and other information may be generated, stored, transferred, and/or displayed. Examples of the other information include, but are not limited to, vapor volume and a duration and/or count of instances of vapor drawing. As used in the present disclosure, the term "vapor drawing" refers to vapor being drawn through an outlet (e.g., vapor passage <NUM> or <NUM> and/or mouthpiece <NUM> or <NUM>) of the e-vapor device (e.g., the e-vapor device <NUM> and/or an e-vapor device including dispensing body <NUM> or dispensing body <NUM>). According to at least some example embodiments, an instance of vapor drawing begins when a negative pressure is applied to the outlet of the e-vapor device and ends when the application of the negative pressure ends. The smart capability, connecting features, and other related aspects of the pod assembly, dispensing body, and overall e-vapor apparatus are additionally discussed in <CIT> (Atty. No. <NUM>-<NUM>-US-PS1 (ALCS2829)) and <CIT> (Atty. No. <NUM>-<NUM>-US-PS1 (ALCS2855) ).

<FIG> is a view of an e-vapor apparatus with a pod assembly inserted in a dispensing body according to an example embodiment. Referring to <FIG>, an e-vapor apparatus <NUM> includes a pod assembly <NUM> (e.g., smart pod) that is inserted within a dispensing body <NUM>. The pod assembly <NUM> may be as previously described in connection with the pod assembly <NUM> and the pod assembly <NUM>. As a result, the pod assembly <NUM> may be a hassle-free and leak-free element that can be replaced with relative ease when the pre-vapor formulation therein runs low/out or when another pod is desired.

<FIG> illustrates a device system of a dispensing body according to an example embodiment. A device system <NUM> may be the system within the dispensing body <NUM> and the dispensing body <NUM>.

The device system <NUM> includes a controller <NUM>, a power supply <NUM>, actuator controls <NUM>, a pod electrical/data interface <NUM>, device sensors <NUM>, input/output (I/O) interfaces <NUM>, vaper indicators <NUM>, at least one antenna <NUM> and a storage medium <NUM>. The device system <NUM> is not limited to the features shown in <FIG>. For example, the device system <NUM> may include additional elements. However, for the sake of brevity, the additional elements are not described. In other example embodiments, the device system <NUM> may not include an antenna.

The controller <NUM> may be hardware, firmware, hardware executing software or any combination thereof. When the controller <NUM> is hardware, such existing hardware may include one or more Central Processing Units (CPUs), microprocessors, processor cores, multiprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific-integrated-circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) computers or the like configured as special purpose machines to perform the functions of the controller <NUM>. CPUs, microprocessors, processor cores, multiprocessors, DSPs, ASICs and FPGAs may generally be referred to as processing devices.

In the event where the controller <NUM> is a processor executing software, the controller <NUM> is configured as a special purpose machine (e.g., a processing device) to execute the software, stored in the storage medium <NUM>, to perform the functions of the controller <NUM>. The software may be embodied as program code including instructions for performing and/or controlling any or all operations described herein as being performed by the controller <NUM>.

As disclosed herein, the term "storage medium", "computer readable storage medium" or "non-transitory computer readable storage medium" may represent one or more devices for storing data, including read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic RAM, core memory, magnetic disk storage mediums, optical storage mediums, flash memory devices and/or other tangible machine readable mediums for storing information. The term "computer-readable medium" may include, but is not limited to, portable or fixed storage devices, optical storage devices, and various other mediums capable of storing, containing or carrying instruction(s) and/or data.

Referring to <FIG>, the controller <NUM> communicates with the power supply <NUM>, the actuator control <NUM>, the pod electrical/data interface <NUM>, the device sensors <NUM>, the input/output (I/O) interfaces <NUM>, the vaper indicators <NUM>, the at least one antenna <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> communicates with the CC-NVM or NVM in the pod through the pod electrical/data interface <NUM>. More specifically, the controller <NUM> may utilize encryption to authenticate the pod. As will be described, the controller <NUM> communicates with the CC-NVM package or NVM to authenticate the pod. More specifically, the non-volatile memory is encoded during manufacture with product and other information for authentication.

The memory device may be coded with an electronic identity to permit at least one of an authentication of the pod and a pairing of operating parameters specific to a type of the pod (or physical construction, such as a heating engine type) when the pod assembly <NUM> is inserted into the through-hole of the dispensing body. In addition to authenticating based on an electronic identity of the pod, the controller <NUM> may authorize use of the pod based on an expiration date of the stored pre-vapor formulation and/or heater encoded into the NVM or the non-volatile memory of the CC-NVM. If the controller determines that the expiration date encoded into the non-volatile memory has passed, the controller may not authorize use of the pod and disable the e-vaping device.

The controller <NUM> (or storage medium <NUM>) stores key material and proprietary algorithm software for the encryption. For example, encryption algorithms rely on the use of random numbers. The security of these algorithms depends on how truly random these numbers are. These numbers are usually pre-generated and coded into the processor or memory devices. Example embodiments may increase the randomness of the numbers used for the encryption by using the vapor drawing parameters e.g., durations of instances of vapor drawing, intervals between instances of vapor drawing, or combinations of them, to generate numbers that are more random and more varying from individual to individual than pre-generated random numbers. All communications between the controller <NUM> and the pod may be encrypted.

Moreover, the pod can be used as a general pay-load carrier for other information such as software patches for the e-vaping device. Since encryption is used in all the communications between the pod and the controller <NUM>, such information is more secure and the e-vaping device is less prone to being installed with malwares or viruses. Use of the CC-NVM as an information carrier such as data and software updates allows the e-vaping device to be updated with software without it being connected to the Internet and for an adult vaper to go through a downloading process as with most other consumer electronics devices requiring periodic software updates.

The controller <NUM> may also include a cryptographic accelerator to allow resources of the controller <NUM> to perform functions other than the encoding and decoding involved with the authentication. The controller <NUM> may also include other security features such as preventing unauthorized use of communication channels and preventing unauthorized access to data if a pod or adult vaper is not authenticated.

In addition to a cryptographic accelerator, the controller <NUM> may include other hardware accelerators. For example, the controller <NUM> may include a floating point unit (FPU), a separate DSP core, digital filters and Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) modules.

The controller <NUM> is configured to operate a real time operating system (RTOS), control the system <NUM> and may be updated through communicating with the NVM or CC-NVM or when the system <NUM> is connected with other devices (e.g., a smart phone) through the I/O interfaces <NUM> and/or the antenna <NUM>. The I/O interfaces <NUM> and the antenna <NUM> allow the system <NUM> to connect to various external devices such as smart phones, tablets, and PCs. For example, the I/O interfaces <NUM> may include a micro-USB connector. The micro-USB connector may be used by the system <NUM> to charge the power source 2110b.

The controller <NUM> may include on-board RAM and flash memory to store and execute code including analytics, diagnostics and software upgrades. As an alternative, the storage medium <NUM> may store the code. Additionally, in another example embodiment, the storage medium <NUM> may be on-board the controller <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> may further include on-board clock, reset and power management modules to reduce an area covered by a PCB in the dispensing body.

The device sensors <NUM> may include a number of sensor transducers that provide measurement information to the controller <NUM>. The device sensors <NUM> may include a power supply temperature sensor, an external pod temperature sensor, a current sensor for the heater, power supply current sensor, air flow sensor and an accelerometer to monitor movement and orientation. The power supply temperature sensor and external pod temperature sensor may be a thermistor or thermocouple and the current sensor for the heater and power supply current sensor may be a resistive based sensor or another type of sensor configured to measure current. The air flow sensor may be a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) flow sensor or another type of sensor configured to measure air flow such as a hot-wire anemometer. As is noted above, the device sensors <NUM> may include sensors, like an accelerometer, for monitoring movement and orientation as is shown in, for example,.

<FIG> illustrates the pod system <NUM> connected to the device system <NUM> according to an example embodiment. For example, the device sensors <NUM> may include one or more accelerometers 2127A, one or more gyroscopes 2127B, and/or one or more magnetometers 2127C to monitor movement and orientation. For example, the device sensors <NUM> may include at least one inertial measurement unit (IMU). The IMU may include, for example, <NUM>-axis accelerometers, <NUM>-axis-gyroscopes and <NUM>-axis magnetometers. For example, the one or more accelerometers 2127A, one or more gyroscopes 2127B, and/or one or more magnetometers 2127C of <FIG> may be included in an IMU. Examples of an IMU included in the device sensors <NUM> include, but are not limited to, the Invensense <NUM>-axis MPU-<NUM> and the ST <NUM>-axis STEVAL-MKI1119V1. As will be discussed in greater detail below with respect to <FIG>, the controller <NUM> may use movement and/or orientation information detected by the device sensors <NUM> to control a level of power output by the power supply <NUM> to the heater <NUM> through the pod electrical/data interface <NUM> and the body electrical/data interface <NUM>.

The data generated from the number of sensor transducers may be sampled at a sample rate appropriate to the parameter being measured using a discrete, multi-channel analog-to-digital converter (ADC).

The controller <NUM> may adapt heater profiles for a pre-vapor formulation and other profiles based on the measurement information received from the controller <NUM>. For the sake of convenience, these are generally referred to as vaping or vapor profiles.

The heater profile identifies the power profile to be supplied to the heater during the few seconds when vapor drawing takes place. For example, a heater profile can deliver maximum power to the heater when an instance of vapor drawing is initiated, but then after a second or so immediately reduce the power to half way or a quarter way.

The modulation of electrical power is usually implemented using pulse width modulation - instead of flipping an on/off switch where the power is either full on or off.

In addition, a heater profile can also be modified based on a negative pressure applied on the e-vaping device. The use of the MEMS flow sensor allows vapor drawing strength to be measured and used as feedback to the controller <NUM> to adjust the power delivered to the heater of the pod, which may be referred to as heating or energy delivery.

When the controller <NUM> recognizes the pod is currently installed (e.g., via SKU), the controller <NUM> matches an associated heating profile that is designed for that particular pod. The controller <NUM> and the storage medium <NUM> will store data and algorithms that allow the generation of heating profiles for all SKUs. In another example embodiment, the controller <NUM> may read the heating profile from the pod. The adult vapers may also adjust heating profiles to suit their preferences.

As shown in <FIG>, the controller <NUM> sends data to and receives data from the power supply <NUM>. The power supply <NUM> includes a power source 2110b and a power controller 2110a to manage the power output by the power source 2110b.

The power source 2110b may be a Lithium-ion battery or one of its variants, for example a Lithium-ion polymer battery. Alternatively, the power source power source 2110b may be a Nickel-metal hydride battery, a Nickel cadmium battery, a Lithium-manganese battery, a Lithium-cobalt battery or a fuel cell. Alternatively, the power source 2110b may be rechargeable and include circuitry allowing the battery to be chargeable by an external charging device. In that case, the circuitry, when charged, provides power for a desired (or alternatively a pre-determined) number of instances of vapor drawing, after which the circuitry must be re-connected to an external charging device.

The power controller 2110a provides commands to the power source 2110b based on instructions from the controller <NUM>. For example, the power supply <NUM> may receive a command from the controller <NUM> to provide power to the pod (through the electrical/data interface <NUM>) when the pod is authenticated and the adult vaper activates the system <NUM> (e.g., by activating a switch such as a toggle button, capacitive sensor, IR sensor). When the pod is not authenticated, the controller <NUM> may either send no command to the power supply <NUM> or send an instruction to the power supply <NUM> to not provide power. In another example embodiment, the controller <NUM> may disable all operations of the system <NUM> if the pod is not authenticated.

In addition to supplying power to the pod, the power supply <NUM> also supplies power to the controller <NUM>. Moreover, the power controller 2110a may provide feedback to the controller <NUM> indicating performance of the power source 2110b.

The controller <NUM> sends data to and receives data from the at least one antenna <NUM>. The at least one antenna <NUM> may include a Near Field Communication (NFC) modem and a Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) modem and/or other modems for other wireless technologies (e.g., Wi-Fi). In an example embodiment, the communications stacks are in the modems, but the modems are controlled by the controller <NUM>. The Bluetooth LE modem is used for data and control communications with an application on an external device (e.g., smart phone). The NFC modem may be used for pairing of the e-vaping device to the application and retrieval of diagnostic information. Moreover, the Bluetooth LE modem may be used to provide location information (for an adult vaper to find the e-vaping device) or authentication during a purchase.

As described above, the system <NUM> may generate and adjust various profiles for vaping. The controller <NUM> uses the power supply <NUM> and the actuator controls <NUM> to regulate the profile for the adult vaper.

The actuator controls <NUM> include passive and active actuators to regulate a desired vapor profile. For example, the dispensing body may include an inlet channel within a mouthpiece. The actuator controls <NUM> may control the inlet channel based on commands from the controller <NUM> associated with the desired vapor profile.

Moreover, the actuator controls <NUM> are used to energize the heater in conjunction with the power supply <NUM>. More specifically, the actuator controls <NUM> are configured to generate a drive waveform associated with the desired vaping profile. As described above, each possible profile is associated with a drive waveform. Upon receiving a command from the controller <NUM> indicating the desired vaping profile, the actuator controls <NUM> may produce the associated modulating waveform for the power supply <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> supplies information to the vaper indicators <NUM> to indicate statuses and occurring operations to the adult vaper. The vaper indicators <NUM> include a power indicator (e.g., LED) that may be activated when the controller <NUM> senses a button pressed by the adult vaper. The vaper indicators <NUM> may also include a vibrator, speaker, an indicator for current state of an adult vaper-controlled vaping parameter (e.g., vapor volume) and other feedback mechanisms.

Furthermore, the system <NUM> may include a number of on-product controls <NUM> that provide commands from an adult vaper to the controller <NUM>. The on-product controls <NUM> include an on-off button which may be a toggle button, capacitive sensor or IR sensor, for example. The on-product controls <NUM> may further include a vaping control button (if the adult vaper desires to override the buttonless vaping feature to energize the heater), a hard reset button, a touch based slider control (for controlling setting of a vaping parameter such as vapor drawing volume), a vaping control button to activate the slider control and a mechanical adjustment for an air inlet. Hand to mouth gesture (HMG) detection is another example of buttonless vaping and will be discussed in greater detail below with reference to <FIG>.

Once a pod is authenticated, the controller <NUM> operates the power supply <NUM>, the actuator controls <NUM>, vaper indicators <NUM> and antenna <NUM> in accordance with the adult vaper using the e-vaping device and the information stored by the NVM or CC-NVM on the pod. Moreover, the controller <NUM> may include logging functions and be able to implement algorithms to calibrate the e-vaping device. The logging functions are executed by the controller <NUM> to record usage data as well any unexpected events or faults. The recorded usage data may be used for diagnostics and analytics. The controller <NUM> may calibrate the e-vaping device using buttonless vaping (i.e., vaping without pressing a button such as generating a vapor when a negative pressure is applied on the mouthpiece), an adult vaper configuration and the stored information on the CC-NVM or NVM including vapor drawing sensing, pre-vapor formulation level and pre-vapor formulation composition. For example, the controller <NUM> may command the power supply <NUM> to supply power to the heater in the pod based on a vaping profile associated with the pre-vapor formulation composition in the pod. Alternatively, a vaping profile may be encoded in the CC-NVM or NVM and utilized by the controller <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a pod system diagram of a dispensing body according to an example embodiment. A pod system <NUM> may be within the pod assembly <NUM>, the pod assembly <NUM> and the pod assembly <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the pod system <NUM> includes a CC-NVM <NUM>, a body electrical/data interface <NUM>, a heater <NUM> and pod sensors <NUM>. The pod system <NUM> communicates with the device system <NUM> through the body electrical/data interface <NUM> and the pod electrical/data interface <NUM>. The body electrical/data interface <NUM> may correspond to the battery contacts <NUM> and data connection <NUM> connected within the pod assembly <NUM>, shown in <FIG>, for example. Thus, the CC-NVM <NUM> is coupled to the data connection <NUM> and the battery contacts <NUM>.

The CC-NVM <NUM> includes a cryptographic coprocessor 2205a and a non-volatile memory 2205b. The controller <NUM> may access the information stored on the non-volatile memory 2205b for the purposes of authentication and operating the pod by communicating with the cryptographic coprocessor 2205a.

In another example embodiment, the pod may not have a crytopgraphic coprocessor. For example, <FIG> illustrates an example of the pod system of <FIG> in which the cryptographic coprocessor 2205a is omitted, according to an example embodiment. As is shown in <FIG>, the pod system <NUM> may include the non-volatile memory 2205b in place of the CC-NVM <NUM>, and the cryptographic coprocessor 2205a is omitted. When no cryptographic coprocessor exists in the pod system <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may read data from the non-volatile memory 2205b without use of the cryptographic coprocessor to control/ define the heating profile.

The non-volatile memory 2205b may be coded with an electronic identity to permit at least one of an authentication of the pod and a pairing of operating parameters specific to a type of the pod when the pod assembly is inserted into the through-hole of the dispensing body. In addition to authenticating based on an electronic identity of the pod, the controller <NUM> may authorize use of the pod based on an expiration date of the stored pre-vapor formulation and/or heater encoded into the non-volatile memory 2205b. If the controller determines that the expiration date encoded into the non-volatile memory non-volatile memory 2205b has passed, the controller may not authorize use of the pod and disable the e-vaping device.

Moreover, the non-volatile memory 2205b may store information such as a stock keeping unit (SKU) of the pre-vapor formulation in the pre-vapor formulation compartment (including pre-vapor formulation composition), software patches for the system <NUM>, product usage information such as vapor drawing instance count, vapor drawing instance duration, and pre-vapor formulation level. The non-volatile memory 2205b may store operating parameters specific to the type of the pod and the pre-vapor formulation composition. For example, the non-volatile memory 2205b may store the electrical and mechanical design of the pod for use by the controller <NUM> to determine commands corresponding to a desired vaping profile.

The pre-vapor formulation level in the pod may be determined in one of two ways, for example. In one example embodiment, one of the pod sensors <NUM> directly measures the pre-vapor formulation level in the pod.

In another example embodiment, the non-volatile memory 2205b stores the vapor drawing instance count from the pod and the controller <NUM> uses the vapor drawing instance count as a proxy to the amount of pre-vapor formulation vaporized.

The controller <NUM> and/or the storage medium <NUM> may store pre-vapor formulation calibration data that identifies an operating point for the pre-vapor formulation composition. The pre-vapor formulation calibration data include data describing how flow rate changes with a remaining pre-vapor formulation level or how volatility changes with an age of the pre-vapor formulation and may be used for calibration by the controller <NUM>. The pre-vapor formulation calibration data may be stored by the controller <NUM> and/or the storage medium <NUM> in a table format. The pre-vapor formulation calibration data allows the controller <NUM> to equate the vapor drawing instance count to the amount of pre-vapor formulation vaporized.

The controller <NUM> writes the pre-vapor formulation level and vapor drawing instance count back to the non-volatile memory 2205b in the pod so if the pod is removed from the dispensing body and later on re-installed, an accurate pre-vapor formulation level of the pod will still be known by the controller <NUM>.

The operating parameters (e.g., power supply, power duration, air channel control) are referred to as a vaping profile. Moreover, the non-volatile memory 2205b may record information communicated by the controller <NUM>. The non-volatile memory 2205b may retain the recorded information even when the dispensing body becomes disconnected from the pod.

In an example embodiment, the non-volatile memory 2205b may be a programmable read only memory.

The heater <NUM> is actuated by the controller <NUM> and transfers heat to at least a portion of the pre-vapor formulation in accordance with the commanded profile (volume, temperature (based on power profile) and flavor) from the controller <NUM>.

The heater <NUM> may be a planar body, a ceramic body, a single wire, a cage of resistive wire, a wire coil surrounding a wick, a mesh, a surface or any other suitable form for example. Examples of suitable electrically resistive materials include titanium, zirconium, tantalum and metals from the platinum group. Examples of suitable metal alloys include stainless steel, nickel-, cobalt-, chromium-, aluminium-titanium- zirconium-, hafnium-, niobium-, molybdenum-, tantalum-, tungsten-, tin-, gallium-, manganese- and iron-containing alloys, and super-alloys based on nickel, iron, cobalt, stainless steel. For example, the heater may be formed of nickel aluminides, a material with a layer of alumina on the surface, iron aluminides and other composite materials, the electrically resistive material may optionally be embedded in, encapsulated or coated with an insulating material or vice-versa, depending on the kinetics of energy transfer and the external physicochemical properties required. In one embodiment, the heater <NUM> comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, copper, copper alloys, nickel-chromium alloys, superalloys and combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the heater <NUM> is formed of nickel-chromium alloys or iron-chromium alloys. In one embodiment, the heater <NUM> can be a ceramic heater having an electrically resistive layer on an outside surface thereof.

In another embodiment, the heater <NUM> may be constructed of an iron-aluminide (e.g., FeAl or Fe. 3Al), such as those described in commonly owned <CIT>, or nickel aluminides (e.g., Ni.

The heater <NUM> may determine an amount of pre-vapor formulation to heat based on feedback from the pod sensors or the controller <NUM>. The flow of pre-vapor formulation may be regulated by a micro-capillary or wicking action. Moreover, the controller <NUM> may send commands to the heater <NUM> to adjust an air inlet to the heater <NUM>.

The pod sensor <NUM> may include a heater temperature sensor, pre-vapor formulation flow rate monitor and air flow monitor. The heater temperature sensor may be a thermistor or thermocouple and the flow rate sensing may be performed by the system <NUM> using electrostatic interference or an in-pre-vapor formulation rotator. The air flow sensor may be a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) flow sensor or another type of sensor configured to measure air flow.

The data generated from the pod sensors <NUM> may be sampled at a sample rate appropriate to the parameter being measured using a discrete, multi-channel analog-to-digital converter (ADC).

According to the present invention, the controller <NUM> also controls the heater <NUM> in response to detecting a hand to mouth gesture (HMG). As is noted above, with reference to <FIG>, an e-vapor device according to the present invention, implements a buttonless vaping feature. As an example of a buttonless vaping feature, the controller <NUM> may determine when an adult vaper makes a hand to mouth gesture (HMG) based on measurements from device sensors <NUM>. An HMG is a gesture in which an adult vaper's hand moves towards the adult vaper's mouth. An HMG made with respect to an e-vapor device (e.g., the e-vapor device <NUM> and/or an e-vapor device including dispensing body <NUM> or dispensing body <NUM>) may indicate that vapor drawing will begin soon. According to at least some example embodiments, the controller <NUM> may control a state and/or operation mode of the e-vapor device or one or more elements thereof based on the detection of an HMG. For example, as is discussed in greater detail below with reference to Equations <NUM> and <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may control a state and/or operation mode of the heater <NUM> by detecting an HMG based on the output of a classifier. The heater <NUM> may also be referred to herein as the heating engine <NUM> or heater engine <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an example algorithm for performing hand to mouth gesture HMG detection. According to at least some example embodiments, the HMG detection algorithm of <FIG> is performed by the controller <NUM> of system <NUM>, which may be included in an e-vapor device (e.g., the e-vapor device <NUM> and/or an e-vapor device including dispensing body <NUM> or dispensing body <NUM>). Referring to <FIG>, the HMG detection algorithm may use movement and/or orientation measurements detected by device sensors <NUM>.

In operation S2305, quaternions are determined based on movements of an e-vapor device. For example, as is noted above with reference <FIG>, the device sensors <NUM> may include at least one IMU. As an example, the IMU may output movement and/or orientation measurements to the controller <NUM> in the form of quaternions. As another example, the IMU may output movement and/or orientation measurements to the controller <NUM> in the form of accelerometer measurements, gyroscope measurements, and/or magnetometer measurements, and quaternions may be determined by the controller <NUM> based on the accelerometer measurements, gyroscope measurements, and/or magnetometer measurements. According to at least some example embodiments, the quaternions received by, or determined by, the controller <NUM> may be unit quaternions. The quaternions may be received by, or determined by, the controller <NUM>, for example, every <NUM> thus resulting in an update rate (or frequency) of <NUM>. According to at least some example embodiments, the quaternions received by, or determined by, the controller <NUM> may be stored by the controller <NUM> in memory (e.g., storage medium <NUM>) such that historical quaternions are available for use by the HMG detection algorithm as will be discussed in greater detail below.

The generation of quaternions in operation S2305 will now be discussed in greater detail. For example, according to at least some example embodiments, at a resting position, an E-vapor device is assumed to be located at a reference point ro = <NUM>j. The reference point ro is a unit vector representing the tip of a forearm (elbow to hand) of unit length. This reference point ro can also be regarded as point (<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>) in a 3D Cartesian (x,y,z) space.

According to at least some example embodiments, a positional sensor of the E-vapor device (e.g., one or more of the device sensors <NUM>) sends out <NUM> real numbers (q<NUM>,q<NUM>,q<NUM>,q<NUM>) every <NUM> as the e-vapor device moves in space. At any time t, data from the positional sensor can be denoted by a quaternion q(t) defined by Equation <NUM> or Equation <NUM>, which is an alternate expression of Equation <NUM>: <MAT> <MAT>.

As is known with respect to quaternions, in Equations <NUM> and <NUM>, i, j and k are related such that i<NUM> = j<NUM> = k<NUM> = -<NUM>, and ij = k = -ji.

In operation S2310, the quaternions are transformed into Cartesian coordinates. For example, in operation S2310, the controller <NUM> may transform the quaternions into <NUM>-dimensional Cartesian coordinates. For example, the stream of quaternions generated in operation S2305 indicates the successive rotations (i.e., changes of positions), relative to the reference point ro, of the e-vapor device as the e-vapor device moves in space. Starting with the reference point (resting position), each quaternion allows a new position of the e-vapor device r to be computed in accordance with Equation <NUM>: <MAT> where q* is the complex conjugate of q, defined as q* = q<NUM> - q<NUM>i - q<NUM>j - q<NUM>k, and reference point ro = <NUM>j, as is noted above. Like Equation <NUM>, the time reference (i.e., [t]) is dropped from Equation <NUM> for ease of description.

Since ro is a vector, the above quaternion mathematical operation described by Equation <NUM> will yield r as a vector also. As a vector, r describes the new position of the e-vapor device in a 3D Cartesian space. Accordingly, in operation S2310 a transformation from reference point vector ro to vector r, is repeated over time t to generate new values for vector r (i.e., r[t]), thus defining corresponding x, y, z Cartesian coordinates of new positions of the e-vapor device at times t (i.e., vectors r and r[t] are each three-element vectors that include, as elements, coordinates x, y, and z).

Thus, in accordance with Equations <NUM> - <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may transform quaternions (e.g., q or q[t]) generated based on measurements of the device sensors <NUM> into <NUM>-D Cartesian coordinates (e.g., r or r[t]). After operation S2310, the HMG detection algorithm proceeds to operation S2320.

In operation S2320, the <NUM>-D Cartesian coordinates determined in operation S2310 are filtered by the controller <NUM> to generate filtered <NUM>-D Cartesian coordinates. The filtering performed in operation S2320 may improve the accuracy of the features extracted in operation S2330, for example, by improving the signal-to-noise ratio of the features extracted in operation S2330. A filter used in operation S2320 may be, for example, a low-pass filter. A filter used in operation S2320 may be, for example, a finite impulse response filter (FIR) or an infinite impulse response (IIR) filter. Examples of a type of filter that may be used in operation S2320 include, but are not limited to, a <NUM>th order FIR filter, a <NUM>th order FIR filter, a <NUM>th order IIR filter, and a <NUM>th order IIR filter. According to at least some example embodiments, the filtering performed in operation S2320 may be configured to reduce or remove high frequency noise that, if not removed, may introduce noise to linear speed v[t] calculations, which will be discussed in greater detail below with respect to the feature extraction operation S2330. According to at least some example embodiments, the filtering performed in operation S2320 may be configured to remove motion artifacts corresponding to motion data representing non-HMG motions like, for example, walking (i.e., walking when no HMG is being performed).

For example, a <NUM>-D Cartesian coordinate determined in operation S2310 may be filtered by applying Equation <NUM>, <MAT> to each dimension of the <NUM>-D Cartesian coordinate. <FIG> illustrates a plot of a frequency response corresponding to filtering performed in accordance with Equation <NUM>. Referring to Equation <NUM>, r[t-n] is a three element vector that includes, as the three elements, the unfiltered values of an x, y and z coordinate at time t-n. Further, f[t] is a three element vector that includes, as the three elements, the filtered values of the x, y and z coordinates at time t. Additionally, b[n] is a constant coefficient pertaining to the filter chosen. For the purpose of clarity, operation S2320 will be described with reference to an example in which the controller <NUM> performs filtering of the <NUM>-D Cartesian coordinates determined in operation S2310 using an order <NUM> FIR filter. With respect to the above referenced example, the value of N in Equation <NUM> may be equal to <NUM>, and constant coefficient b[n] may be defined by Table <NUM> below.

<FIG> illustrates a plot of a frequency response corresponding to filtering performed in accordance with Equation <NUM>. According to at least some example embodiments, the order <NUM> FIR filter used in operation S2320 may have the following attributes:.

While, for the purpose of clarity, the HMG detection algorithm of <FIG> is described primarily with respect to a scenario in which the controller <NUM> performs the filtering operation S2320 on <NUM>-D Cartesian coordinates after performing the transformation operation S2310, at least some example embodiments are not limited to this scenario. For example, as an alternative, according to at least some example embodiments, the controller <NUM> may perform the HMG detection algorithm illustrated in <FIG> by omitting the filtering operation S2320 such that the <NUM>-D Cartesian coordinates used by the controller <NUM> in the feature detection operation S2330 are the unfiltered <NUM>-D Cartesian coordinates determined in the transformation operation S2310. As another alternative, according to at least some example embodiments, the controller <NUM> may perform the filtering operation S2320 before performing the transformation operation S2310. For example, the controller <NUM> may perform a filtering operation directly on the quaternions received by, or determined by, the controller <NUM> to generate filtered quaternions. After performing the filtering operation, the controller <NUM> may transform the filtered quaternions into <NUM>-D Cartesian coordinates using, for example, Equations <NUM>-<NUM> discussed above, such that the <NUM>-D Cartesian coordinates used by the controller <NUM> in the feature detection operation S2330 are the <NUM>-D Cartesian coordinates that were transformed from the filtered quaternions.

Returning to <FIG>, in operation S2330, features are extracted from the <NUM>-D Cartesian coordinates. The features extracted from the <NUM>-D Cartesian coordinates (which may also be referred to herein as "movement features") are features related to the movement and/or orientation of the e-vapor device, where the <NUM>-D Cartesian coordinates are provided as the <NUM>-element vector r as defined above with reference to Equations <NUM>-<NUM>. For example, in operation S2330, the controller <NUM> may extract the following movement features from the <NUM>-D Cartesian coordinates determined from operations S2310 or operations S2310 and S2320: distance from rest point location d[t] and linear speed v[t]. The distance from rest point location feature d[t] refers to a distance between a point r[t] and a rest point rrest at time t, where the point r[t] is a location (i.e., a point in <NUM>-D space) of the e-vapor device at time t, and the rest point rrest is a location (i.e., a point in <NUM>-D space) at which the e-vapor device last rested, where resting refers to a movement state of the e-vapor device in which the e-vapor device is stationary or substantially stationary as will be discussed in greater detail below with reference to Expression <NUM>.

As is noted above, the quaternions (i.e., q[t]) may be sampled by (i.e., received by, or determined by) the controller <NUM>, for example, every <NUM>. Accordingly, point r[t] may be updated every <NUM>, thus resulting in an update rate (or frequency) of <NUM>. Consequently, according to at least some example embodiments, the controller <NUM> may determine <NUM>-D Cartesian coordinates corresponding to the quaternions at or near a rate (or frequency) of <NUM>. Thus, a linear speed of the e-vapor device at time t, v[t], may be determined based on locations of the e-vapor device at time times t and t-<NUM> in accordance with Equation <NUM>: <MAT> In Equation <NUM>, linear speed v[t] is expressed in units of meters per sample. Linear speed v[t] may also be expressed as v[t] = ||r[t] - r[t-<NUM>] || /Δt meters per second (m/s), where Δt may be expressed as [<NUM>/ sample frequency]. For example, the linear speed v[t] of the e-vapor device at time t in units of m/s may be expressed as v[t] = ||r[t] - r[t-<NUM>] || / [<NUM>/<NUM>], when a quaternion sample rate is <NUM>.

Further, the rest point rrest may be defined as a latest location for which the e-vapor device is determined (e.g., by the controller <NUM>) to be stationary or substantially stationary by satisfying the requirements expressed in Expression <NUM>: <MAT> where Vthreshold is a speed threshold value. Example values for Vthreshold with respect to a sample rate (or frequency) of <NUM> include, but are not limited to, <NUM> per sample and <NUM> per sample.

Further, the distance from rest point at time t, d[t], may be defined based on point r[t] and rest point rrest in accordance with Equation <NUM>: <MAT>.

Thus, in operation S2330, the controller <NUM> may extract movement features with respect to a time t including the distance from rest point location d[t] and the linear speed v[t] using, for example, Equations <NUM> and <NUM> and Expression <NUM>. After operation S2330, the HMG determination algorithm proceeds to operation S2340.

In operation S2340, the controller <NUM> determines whether or not an HMG has occurred with respect to the e-vapor device based on the movement features extracted in operation S2330.

For example, the controller <NUM> may use one or more machine learning-based techniques for determining whether or not an HMG has occurred with respect to the e-vapor device. For example, the controller <NUM> may utilize a neural network to determine, based on the movement features extracted in operation S2330, whether or not an HMG has occurred with respect to the e-vapor device. As another example, the controller <NUM> may use linear discriminant analysis (LDA) for determining whether or not an HMG has occurred using. LDA-based techniques for determining whether or not an HMG has occurred will be discussed in greater detail below.

According to at least some example embodiments, in operation S2340, the controller <NUM> uses a classifier to determine whether or not an HMG has occurred. According to at least some example embodiments, the controller <NUM> may use, as inputs to the classifier, the distance from rest point location feature d[t], and the linear speed feature v[t], in order to determine, based on an output of the classifier, whether or not an HMG occurred at or near time t. Consequently, through use of the classifier, the controller <NUM> is configured to distinguish between HMG movements and non-HMG movements.

The classifier used by the controller <NUM> in operation S2340 may be referred to an HMG classifier. According to at least some example embodiments, the HMG classifier may be a classifier generated based on training data using linear discriminant analysis (LDA). A classifier generated based on training data using LDA may also be referred to herein as a "LDA classifier. " According to at least some example embodiments, the training data used to generate the HMG classifier may be collected during a training process by observing a plurality of known motion states including known HMGs (i.e., motions states that are known to be HMGs) and known non-HMGs (i.e., motions states that are not to be HMGs), and recording movement features (e.g., the distance from rest point location feature, d[t], and the linear speed feature, v[t]) associated with the observed known motion states. LDA may then be applied to the collected data to generate the HMG classifier. According to at least some example embodiments, the HMG classifier used by the controller <NUM> in operation S2340 may be initially generated during the above-reference training process, and the above-reference training process may be performed by, for example, a computer system outside the e-vapor device. After initial generation, the HMG classifier may be embodied in the e-vapor device in the form of circuitry, for example circuitry included in the controller <NUM> that is structurally designed to embody the behavior of the HMG classifier by detecting HMG based on input movement features in the manner defined by the generated HMG classifier. Alternatively, the HMG classifier may be embodied in the e-vapor device in the form of a program and/or program instructions that may be stored in the storage medium <NUM> and executed by a processor included in the e-vapor device such that the processor (e.g., the controller <NUM>) detects HMG based on input movement features in the manner defined by the generated HMG classifier. As another alternative, the HMG classifier may be embodied in the e-vapor device in the form of a combination of the above-referenced circuitry and processor executing program instructions. An example of the above-referenced HMG classifier will now be discussed in greater detail below.

An example of the HMG classifier which the controller <NUM> may use to detect the occurrence of a HMG is provided by the LDA model defined below with reference to Equation <NUM>: <MAT> where φ[m] is a feature φ corresponding index m, c[m] is a coefficient c corresponding to index m, M = <NUM>, and η is a classifier output. Example values for feature φ[m] and model coefficients c[m] are defined by Table <NUM> below. As is shown below, feature Φ[<NUM>] and model coefficients c[<NUM>], c[<NUM>] and c[<NUM>] may each be constants.

According to at least some example embodiments, the constant offset feature for all times t is <NUM> (i.e., Φ [<NUM>] =<NUM>, for all times t), and Equation <NUM> may be simplified in the manner shown below with respect to Equation <NUM>: <MAT>.

Referring to Equations <NUM> and <NUM>, the summation of the product of operands c[m] and φ[m] over indexes m=<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> is calculated as classifier output η. Thus, in operation S2340, the controller <NUM> may perform a classification operation by generating classifier output η in the manner discussed above with reference to Equations <NUM> and <NUM>.

In operation S2345, the controller <NUM> may determine whether or not an HMG has occurred based on the result of the classification operation performed in operation S2340. According to at least some example embodiments, for a time t, the controller <NUM> determines that HMG has occurred when classifier output η is greater than <NUM> and determines that HMG has not occurred (i.e., no movement occurred or movement other than HMG occurred) when classifier output η is less than or equal to <NUM>, as is shown below in Table <NUM>.

Thus, in operation S2345, the controller <NUM> may determine whether or not a HMG occurred with respect to a time t based on a result of Equations <NUM> or Equation <NUM>. Further, in operation S2345 the controller <NUM> may output a state decision based on the determination of whether or not an HMG occurred.

For example, the controller <NUM> may control an operation mode of the heater engine <NUM> to change between a plurality of states, in response to detecting an HMG. For example, the controller <NUM> may implement a preheating operation as is described in greater detail below.

According to at least one example embodiment, an operation mode of the heater engine <NUM> may have one of three states: OFF, PREHEAT and ON. According to at least some example embodiments, the OFF state is a state in which a relatively low amount of power or, alternatively, no power is supplied to the heater engine <NUM> by the e-vapor device; the PREHEAT state is a state in which an amount of power supplied to the heater engine <NUM> by the e-vapor device is higher than the amount of power supplied in the OFF state; and the ON state is a state in which an amount of power supplied to the heater engine <NUM> by the e-vapor device is higher than the amount of power supplied in the PREHEAT state. According to at least one example embodiment, in operation S2345, the controller <NUM> may perform a preheating operation by controlling the heater engine <NUM> to transition from the OFF state to the PREHEAT state in response to detecting an HMG by outputting, as the state decision, the PREHEAT state, for example, when the controller <NUM> detects the HMG while a current state of the heater engine is OFF. According to at least one example embodiment, the controller <NUM> may control the heater engine <NUM> to transition from the PREHEAT state to the ON state in response to detecting vaping (e.g., in response to detecting vapor drawing) while a current state of the heater engine is PREHEAT or OFF. According to at least some example embodiments, the amount of power supplied by the e-vapor device to the heater engine <NUM> in the PREHEAT state is an amount that causes a temperature of the heater engine <NUM> to be below a boiling point of a pre-vapor formulation material held in the a pre-vapor formulation compartment of the e-vapor device, and the amount of power supplied by the e-vapor device to the heater engine <NUM> in the ON state is an amount that causes a temperature of the heater engine <NUM> to be at or above the boiling point of the pre-vapor formulation material held in the a pre-vapor formulation compartment of the e-vapor device. The boiling point of the pre-vapor formulation material is a temperature of the heater engine <NUM> at which the pre-vapor formulation material changes to a vapor.

Some period of time exists between a point when power is first supplied to a heater of an e-vapor device and a point when the heater has reached a temperature sufficient for the production of vapor. In at least some e-vapor devices, power is supplied to a heater of the e-vapor device only after vapor drawing is detected. Consequently, in such e-vapor device, there may be a substantial vapor latency. The term "vapor latency" refers a period of time between a point in time when an initial vapor drawing instance occurs and a point in time when an e-vapor device produces vapor.

According to at least some embodiments, the above-referenced vapor latency may be reduced or, alternatively, eliminated. For example, according to at least some example embodiments, the above-referenced vapor latency may be eliminated by being reduced to the point where the vapor latency is imperceptible or, alternatively, unnoticed. For example, the HMG is a gesture that may be expected to occur a relatively short time before vaping begins (i.e., before an initial vapor drawing instance occurs). Thus, according to at least some example embodiments, as a result of the above-referenced preheating operation in which power is supplied by the e-vapor device to the heater engine <NUM> in response to detecting an HMG (i.e., before the initial vapor drawing instance occurs), the heater engine <NUM> may achieve a temperature sufficient to generate vapor at or, alternatively, near the time when the initial vapor drawing instance occurs.

Claim 1:
A method of controlling a heater (<NUM>) of an e-vaping device, the heater (<NUM>) having at least a first operation mode in which a first amount of power is supplied to the heater by the e-vaping device, and a second operation mode in which a second amount of power greater than the first amount is supplied to the heater by the e-vaping device, the method comprising:
detecting, by the e-vaping device, movements of the e-vaping device;
generating (S2305), by the e-vaping device, quaternions based on the detected movements;
generating, by the e-vaping device, movement features based on the generated quaternions;
applying, by the e-vaping device, the generated movement features to a classifier;
determining (<NUM>) whether a hand-to-mouth gesture, HMG, occurred with respect to the e-vaping device based on an output of the classifier; and
transitioning of the heater (<NUM>) from the first operation mode to the second operation mode in response to determining that the HMG occurred,
wherein the first operation mode is a mode in which no power is supplied to the heater (<NUM>) by the e-vaping device, and the second operation mode is a mode in which an amount of power supplied to the heater (<NUM>) by the e-vaping device is an amount that causes the heater (<NUM>) to heat a pre-vapor formulation stored in the e-vaping device to a temperature below a boiling point of the pre-vapor formulation.